Nestled in the high-altitude region of the Himalayas, Ladakh is renowned for its harsh winters and minimal rainfall. However, this seemingly desolate cold desert has a hidden gem: its extraordinary solar potential.

With over 300 sunny days a year, Ladakh is poised to transform its extreme climate into its greatest energy asset.

A brilliant example of this potential in action can be found at the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) campus in Leh. Here, a smart and sustainable solar setup is helping two massive four-storey buildings stay warm without burning a single drop of fuel.

How? Through an innovative Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) system that captures the sun’s rays and converts them into indoor warmth. Think of it like this: curved mirrors focus sunlight onto a silver tray, heating glycol-water solution to around 45 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius. This hot solution flows beneath the floors of the buildings, gently warming the rooms to a cozy 15 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius even when it is as freezing as -30 degrees Celsius outside!

This isn’t just about staying warm. It’s a shining example (literally!) of how Ladakh’s intense sunlight can be turned into a clean, efficient and eco-friendly solution for extreme climates. Who says the cold desert can’t lead India’s renewable energy story?

A solar potential like no other

When you think of Ladakh, you might picture snow-capped mountains, dramatic landscapes, and icy winds. But there’s something else this cold desert has in abundance which is a lot of sunshine.

In fact, Ladakh gets more solar energy per day than any other region in India, a whopping 5.29 kWh per installed kilowatt peak (kWp). That’s significantly more than places like Shimla or Delhi. With sunlight, this powerful, Ladakh is a dream location for solar energy projects.

Remote areas in Ladakh are ideal for rooftop solar installations. A........

© The Better India