Can Solar Energy In India Target Be Achieved?

With multiple solar projects in India set to take off, India is set to almost double the generation capacity targets in the ongoing financial year and also exceed its target of contributing an additional 1.8 GW of extra capacity during this year. As per statistics, India will end the present financial year with total solar power generation capacities of an impressive 6 GW. In February 2015, operational capacity stood at just 5 GW for India. Performance of solar PV plants developed under the aegis of the National Solar Mission has exceeded expectations as well. This should boost the ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) that is targeting an addition of 100 GW of solar power by the year 2022 as part of the National Solar Mission. The Solar Mission had targeted an addition of 1.8 GW for the fiscal year which would take total capacity to approximately 5.5 GW. For the 2016-17 fiscal, the country has a target of 7.2 GW in extra capacity while this should go up to 10 GW for the 2017-18 fiscal.

Rooftop solar projects should add 40% of the 100 GW targeted by the year 2022 while 57% will be added through solar farms and other big ticket projects. This capacity addition will also encompasses solar thermal plants and dry or photovoltaic plants. Most installations till date have been created with the help of photovoltaic (PV) technology which does not require high maintenance owing to fewer moving components. The target of the National Solar Mission for the first year will be met due to several Solar Energy In India that have been kick started by private organizations.

Rajasthan is the leader in terms of overall solar power generation capacity in the country with 1.26 GW while Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh come second and third with 1 GW and 0.7 GW respectively. Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh follow with 378 MW and 253 MW respectively. Andhra Pradesh should take second position in the next fiscal since it has already sanctioned subsidies for 3, 500 MW capacity from the Centre. Subsidies are also being given by the Government to big solar parks to the tune of INR 20 lakh per MW. The costs involved in building solar parks is approximately INR 5 crore which is one of the lowest globally. This has certainly contributed towards helping India meet the ambitious National Solar Mission target for this year and stay on course to meet the next batches of targets.

Welspun IPP is a leading player when it comes to solar and wind energy and has already developed a path breaking 151 MW plant at Neemuch. The company aims at being one of the frontrunners of India’s growth strategy in the sector.