- India’s installed PV capacity increased to 7.8 GW by the end of June, compared to around 7 GW at the end of April 2016
- The top three Indian states in terms of highest capacity installed are Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh
- The states have invested at least $3.69 billion since 2014-15 on solar power projects
India has registered an increase of 11.5% in its total installed grid connected PV capacity in two months’ time. At the end of June 2016, India’s solar power generation capacity stood at 7,805 MW, increasing from 6998.9 at the end of April 2016 (see India’s Installed PV Up By 3.6% In 1 Month). This means it has added a little over 1 GW in the current fiscal year. As of March 31, 2016, this capacity stood at 6,753.38 MW.
According to a written reply to the Lower House of the Indian Parliament, Minister for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Piyush Goyal, Tamil Nadu has replaced Gujarat as the state with the second highest solar power generation capacity since last time. The southern state has recorded 1,267.41 MW capacity, just next to Rajasthan which continues to lead the tally with 1,294.60 MW on the stated date. Third on the list is Chhattisgarh with 1,123.36 MW.
Rajasthan continues to be on top of states regarding the highest PV capacity installed. Gujarat has dropped out of the top three ranks, having been replaced by Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh.
There seems to be an all-out effort from the Indian government to pursue its solar ambition of reaching 100 GW by 2022. Just last week, India announced increasing its generation from solar park capacity to 40,000 MW as compared to 20,000 MW planned earlier (see India Doubles Solar Park Target). To encourage the states to meet their renewable purchase obligation (RPO) and encourage more investment, the central government has just introduced another Solar Zones Policy setting up 10 such zones, on the lines of solar parks (see India To Implement Solar Zones).
Indian states have already invested 247.85 billion INR ($3.69 billion) on solar since 2014-15. In 2014-15, states had spent 66.72 billion INR ($993.3 million) on solar power projects, while the remaining 181.13 billion INR ($2.7 billion) in 2015-16, reported Indian business daily Business Standard.
In the current fiscal year, the government had been aiming to add 12 GW of solar power capacity, however, several experts consider this target too ambitious.
