(a) "Solar energy has a bright future in India." Explain the statement with examples.

(i) India is a tropical country. So it has enormous possibilities of tapping solar energy.

(ii) Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight directly into electricity.

(iii) Solar energy is fast becoming popular in rural and remote areas.

(iv) Some big solar power plants are being established in different parts of India which will minimise the dependence of rural households on firewood and dung cakes.

(v) It contributes to environmental conservation and adequate supply of manure in agriculture.

(b) Why do we need to conserve mineral resources? Explain with examples.

(i) Our industry and agriculture are dependent upon mineral deposits and the substances manufactured from them.

(ii) The total volume of workable mineral deposits is very low.

(iii) We are rapidly consuming mineral resources that required millions of years to be created and concentrated.

(iv) Mineral resources are finite and non-renewable.

(v) Continued extraction of ores leads to increasing costs as mineral extraction comes from greater depths along with decrease in quality.