• Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy inviting suggestions for draft policy on 'Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy'
  • Developers can install PV or wind turbine generators in existing plants for these renewable sources
  • Developers will be at liberty to sell the power to either a utility or third party or keep it for captive use

The Indian government is now planning to have 10 GW coming from solar and wind hybrid capacity, as it strives to reach its ambitious target of 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022. The country is aiming to get 100 GW from solar and 60 GW from wind. The current total installed capacity for solar was at 7.6 GW and for wind at 26.8 GW by May 2016.

Considering that wind farms have the potential to see additional solar power plants, if designed properly, PV system sites may have space for additional wind mills, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a draft Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy – and asked for proposals.

The policy document states that in case existing wind and solar PV plants need to install solar PV plant or wind turbine generators, they will ensure that the hybrid power injected in to the grid is not more than the grid connectivity allowed or sanctioned for the existing plant.

Developers will be able to use the hybrid power for captive use or may sell the same to a third party or even the utility. These projects will be eligible for fiscal and financial incentives available to wind and solar power projects.

MNRE will be taking suggestions on the new policy draft guidelines until June 30, 2016.