RAS question
Rajasthan's total installed renewable energy capacity is led by:
Correct answer: (D) Solar energy.
Rajasthan's installed renewable energy capacity is led by solar energy, ahead of wind energy.
Explanation
Solar energy leads Rajasthan's renewable capacity because the state's installed solar capacity is higher than wind and biomass in the Economic Review's power-capacity data. Rajasthan is a national leader in solar power generation because abundant sunshine and desert and arid land support large solar projects. Solar power capacity stands ahead of wind capacity, while wind and biomass have also grown at a more moderate pace. This is why, among biomass, small hydro, wind energy and solar energy, solar energy is the correct answer: it is the dominant renewable segment in Rajasthan's installed capacity profile.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Biomass is a renewable source in Rajasthan, but its installed capacity is far below solar, so it does not lead the renewable mix.
- (B) Small hydro is not the leading installed renewable source in Rajasthan; solar has the dominant installed capacity among the listed renewable options.
- (C) Wind energy is the next major renewable source after solar, but Rajasthan's capacity data and renewable-energy profile put solar ahead of wind.
Concept
This tests the Rajasthan economy syllabus area on energy resources and renewable-energy development. It recurs in RAS because Rajasthan's solar-led energy profile is central to state planning, investment and sustainable-development questions.