Non-conventional energy and conservation

Non-conventional (renewable) energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and biomass, are spread more equitably and are eco-friendly; and they never run out.

• Solar: through photovoltaic cells (sunlight to electricity) and solar thermal systems (sun's heat). The best potential is in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
• Wind: strong in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka.
• Tidal energy along the west coast is still untapped.
• Geothermal: a plant at Manikaran (Himachal Pradesh), using heat from inside the earth.
• Bio-energy: from farm, animal and city wastes, as at Okhla in Delhi.

Since minerals are exhaustible, we must conserve them:

• use alternative energy sources;
• recycle scrap metals (copper, lead, zinc);
• use substitutes for scarce minerals;
• export fewer of the scarce ones.

Use the sun and wind; save the minerals.