Tamil Nadu is facing an acute power crisis today and this is an opportunity for rural people to turn to solar energy to tide over the crisis, said Dr Rajendra K Pachauri, Director General, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Chairperson, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Addressing an award function organised by the Rotary Club of Madras East (R I District 3230) here on Wednesday, he said, “When global warming is a major concern these days, it is important to shift our views on renewable energy resources.” Pachauri, who has been awarded ‘For the Sake of Honour’ award by the Rotary Club, said, “When usage of solar energy is possible in the Sunderbans, it should be possible in other parts of the country as well. The cost of solar power is gradually decreasing due to improvements in designs of solar centric devices. For instance, we are using LEDs in solar lamps, which can be charged everywhere and can provide light up to five to six hours. There is also a plug that can be used to charge our mobile phones using the solar light.” “Even today, 1.3 to 1.4 billion people don’t have electricity in their homes. To meet this situation, TERI has been initiating training programmes from 2008 and till date, we have provided training to more than 2,000 villagers,” he said. “According to IPCC, three major reasons are a matter of concern in the future. One, the increasing level in heat waves, second, heavy rainfall and third, rise in sea level. These are going to affect us badly in future, ” he added.