Study the passage below and answer the questions.
PASSAGE - II
With will and vision, India's energy prospects can be changed from grim to
green, and the world will benefit as a result, At 571 kWh per capita, India's electricity
consumption is one-fifth of China's (2,631 kWh) and less than one - twentieth of
the USA's (12,914 kWh). India's electricity demand will only grow. Solar electricity
today at Rs.7.50 a kWh is economical compared with subsidised diesel generated
power at roughly Rs.15 a unit, but more expensive than coal - based electricity at
about Rs.6 And, in any case, India has ash - rich coal. What is the true cost of
coal - based power? Prices are distorted by subsidies, State boundaries, vote - bank
politics, and uncharged carbon - emission costs. Can India leapfrog into a clean - energy
future rather than extend the conventional grid with fossil fuels at its core? In a
nation blessed with abundant sunlight, to what extent should electricity be a networking
service at all? Could India tap ambient solar energy for most of its needs? India's
single - minded focus should be massive and rapid solar deployment, not only through
utility - scale solar plants, but also through distributed generation, household - by -
household, nationwide. Electricity in Indian homes should be roof top - to - room and
solar based with energy self - sufficiency as the goal; the grid can complement and
serve as back - up where available. Anchored with solar, the solutions may include
combinations with bio - diesel, batteries, wind, biogas, micro - hydro, etc. At night or
when the sun is behind clouds, alternative yet local sources can assure electricity.
Once solar energy takes root, India will need less of the colossal and wasteful transmission,
distribution and generation infrastructure except for industrial operations
such as running factories and trains.