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India’s Solar Energy Capacity Reaches 100 GW
Context:
India’s solar power capacity has reached 100 GW, including both grid-connected and off-grid installations.
Solar Energy Capacity
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- Grid-connected solar capacity forms the major share, contributing to large-scale power generation through solar parks and rooftop installations.
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- Grid-Connected Solar Capacity:
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- Ground-Mounted Solar Projects: 75.19 GW
- Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar: 15.67 GW
- Hybrid Projects (Solar Component): 2.77 GW
- This totals approximately 93.63 GW of grid-connected solar capacity.
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- Off-grid solar systems cater to decentralised energy needs, including solar pumps, street lighting, and mini-grids in rural areas. Off-Grid Solar Installations: 4.23 GW.
State-Wise Solar Capacity (2024)
- Top states in solar capacity (as of 2024):
- Rajasthan – 22.5 GW (highest in India)
- Gujarat – 10.8 GW
- Karnataka – 10.2 GW
- Tamil Nadu – 7.2 GW
- Madhya Pradesh – 5.5 GW
India’s Solar Energy Targets
- Short-Term Target: 280 GW of installed solar capacity by 2030.
- Long-Term Goal: Achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, with solar playing a critical role.
- International Commitment: Solar expansion as part of India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
Government Initiatives to Promote Solar Energy
- PM-KUSUM Scheme: Encourages farmers to install solar pumps and solarised grids.
- Solar Parks Scheme: Development of large ultra-mega solar parks to scale up generation.
- PLI Scheme for Solar Manufacturing: Production-linked incentives (PLI) to boost domestic solar panel and module manufacturing.
- International Solar Alliance (ISA): India-led initiative to enhance global solar adoption.
- Rooftop Solar Programme: Subsidies and incentives for residential and commercial rooftop solar installations.
- Green Energy Open Access Rules (2022): Enables industries to purchase solar power directly from producers.
Growth in Solar Power Capacity (2024)
- Solar’s Contribution to Renewable Energy: Solar power now constitutes roughly 45% of India’s total renewable energy capacity.
- Solar Capacity Added in 2024: About 13 GW of solar power was added, despite supply chain challenges.
- Share in Total Power Mix: Renewable energy, including solar, contributes 43% of India’s total installed power capacity.
Renewable Energy in India’s Power Mix
- Total Renewable Capacity: Over 180 GW (including wind, solar, hydro, and bio-energy).
- Share in Total Energy Production: Renewable energy accounts for 43% of India’s total installed capacity.
- Government’s Target: 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030.
Challenges in Solar Energy Expansion
- Dependence on Imports from China
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- India imports ~80% of its solar modules and components from China, making it vulnerable to supply chain disruptions.
- Despite the PLI scheme, domestic manufacturing is still in the early stages.
- Storage and Grid Integration Issues
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- Intermittency problem: Solar power is variable and requires efficient storage solutions (battery and pumped hydro).
- Grid stability challenges: Need for advanced grid management and transmission infrastructure.
- Land Acquisition and Environmental Concerns
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- Large solar parks require vast land, leading to land acquisition disputes.
- Environmental concerns over biodiversity loss in ecologically sensitive areas.
- Financial Constraints and Investment Risks
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- High initial costs for solar projects despite long-term benefits.
- DISCOM financial issues impact solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) and payments to developers.
- Domestic Manufacturing Gaps
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- Need to scale up silicon wafer and solar cell production to reduce import dependency.
- High costs of local production compared to imported solar panels.
