An interesting article by Dr. Uday Lal Pai. A relatively old one (2006), but many of the insights and data are quite useful.
The following comparison of potential vs installed for various renewable energy sources was interesting:
Renewable Energy Monitor
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Sources Units Potential Installation
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Wind Power MW 45,000 1,870
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Small Hydro Power MW 15,000 1,519.28
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Biomass Power MW 19,500 537.17
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Urban & Industrial MW 1700 25.75
Waste
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Solar PV MW/ sq km 20
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Solar Water Mn. sq m 140 0.70
Heating
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Biogas Plants Mn. 12 3.440
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Improved Mn. 120 35.20
Cookstoves (Chulhas)
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Here’s another related comparison – “The current potential of surplus agro and forest residues to energy is estimated at 16,000 MW along with an additional “waste-to-energy” potential of 2,700 MW. With the setting up of new sugar mills and the modernization of existing ones, the potential of bagasse cogeneration is estimated at 5,000 MW. The cumulative installed capacity, of grid-interactive biomass and bagasse cogeneration power was 1,141 MW only, as on 31 March 2007” – source
