Question : Assessment of Solar Energy Potential

(a) whether the Union Government has made assessment of solar energy potential in the country, especially in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the estimated power in megawatt produced during last three years and likely to be produced in the coming three years from solar energy in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telengana ;
(c) the amount of subsidy disbursed by the Government during the last three years for the solar sector; and
(d) the details of the schemes of the Union Government in conjunction with State Governments for promotion and use of solar energy in the urban areas, especially in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY, POWER and MoS for SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
(SHRI R.K. SINGH)
(a) The National Institute of Solar Energy, an autonomous institute under aegis of this Ministry has assessed solar energy potential of around 750 GW in the country including the States of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The details of solar energy potential in the States of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are as under:
State Solar Power Potential (GWp)
Andhra Pradesh 38.44
Tamil Nadu 17.67

(b) The details of solar energy capacity installed in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana during last three years are given in Annexure.

Government have set a target of installing 1,00,000 MW of Solar Capacity in the Country by December, 2022. As of 31.01.2020, a cumulative capacity of 34,035.63 MW had been installed with 23,789 MW at various stages of implementation and 29,467 MW under bidding. Most of tendered projects are Inter State Transmission based and can be set up anywhere in the country. Therefore, specific capacity which could be set up in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu & Telangana cannot be estimated.

(c) The details of funds released on the basis of proposals received under various Solar Schemes/Programmes during the last three years are as given below:

Year Total funds released
(Rs. Crore)
2016-17 2590.59
2017-18 1889.93
2018-19 2524.65







(d) The Government has been implementing various schemes for promotion and use of Solar Energy in the country including Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The major ones are as detailed under:

i. Solar Park Scheme for setting up of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects targeting over 40,000 MW of solar power projects.

ii. Scheme for setting up of Grid-Connected Solar PV Power Projects by the Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) and the Government of India organizations with Viability Gap Funding (VGF).

iii. VGF Scheme for setting up of 5000 MW of Grid Connected Solar PV Power Projects through SECI, which has a separate component of 1000 MW for N-E states.

iv. Phase-I and Phase-II of Grid Connected Rooftop Programme.

v. Off-Grid Solar PV Schemes viz. Solar Street Lights / Power packs, Solar Study lamps, Solar Study lamps under 70 lakh Solar Study lamps scheme, Solar Street light under AJAY scheme.

vi. Pradhan Mantri – Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM).

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