There has been a paradigm shift in India's energy sector. The latest figures from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India indicate an exponential growth in renewable electricity, with India's solar power capacity growing rapidly. The highest ever capacity addition of 5,500 MW (or 5.5 GW) in solar power was made in 2016/17, which is 183 per cent of the previous year's achievement of 3 GW. It is heartening to note that India has quadrupled its solar generation power capacity in just two years. As on July 31, 2017, the cumulative installed solar energy capacity was 13,652 MW.

This month, our cover story titled, 'Harnessing Solar Potential in India: The Developments and Challenges' highlights the actions that the government took to convert India's solar potential into reality. India's solar mission, which is the world's largest renewable capacity expansion programme, is rooted in the need to balance economic growth and development with sustainability. India has an ambitious target of 175 GW renewable power installed capacity by the end of 2022; of which 100 GW would come from solar power, including 40 GW through grid connected rooftop solar systems.

Our cover story discusses the grey areas that need to be addressed if India is to effectively make the most of this energy resource. Integrating off-grid solar captive systems into the utility grid; curtailment and power wastage; problems of weather unpredictability; lack of metering systems; lack of public awareness; initial costs; transmission and distribution losses; inadequate technologies of scale; human resource paucity; poor financing infrastructure, etc., are some of the challenges in harnessing solar PV potential in India. Though proactive measures have been taken, a lot more is needed in terms of enhancing manufacturing capacity, investment in R&D, creation of an investor-friendly environment, large-scale workforce skill development, low-voltage grid connectivity of solar resources, and fine-tuning of regulatory mechanisms.

The special report this month highlights cinema as a powerful medium of social change, and the significant role played by it in representing environmental damage and the accompanying crisis. This has helped, through the persuasiveness of the medium, to create much-needed awareness. The article looks at some movies from around the world that have left an indelible mark on our conscience, and consequently have led to monumental changes that have contributed to the preservation of our environment and our ecosystems.