THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR POWER, COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
(a): The Government has declared no specific ‘Solar Energy Policy’. However, the Government has launched, inter alia, following schemes to promote solar energy:
i. Solar Park Scheme for setting up of over 50 Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects targeting over 40,000 MW of solar power projects.
ii. Scheme for setting up 1000 MW of Grid-Connected Solar PV Power Projects by the Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) and the Government of India organisations with Viability Gap Funding (VGF).
iii. Scheme for setting up 300 MW of Grid-Connected Solar PV Power Projects by Defence Establishments and Para Military Forces with VGF.
iv. Pilot-cum-demonstration projects for development of grid connected solar PV power plants on canal banks and canal tops.
v. Bundling Scheme - 15000 MW grid-connected solar PV power plants through NTPC Ltd./ NVVN.
vi. VGF Scheme for setting up of 2000 MW of Grid Connected Solar PV Power Projects through SECI.
vii. VGF Scheme for setting up of 5000 MW of Grid Connected Solar PV Power Projects through SECI.
viii. Installation of Grid Connected Solar Rooftop Power Plants.
(b): State-wise details of grid connected solar power capacity installed in the country, as on 30.06.2017 are given at Annexure-I.
(c): The Government is promoting solar energy through various fiscal and promotional incentives such as capital subsidy, generation based incentive, accelerated depreciation, viability gap funding (VGF), financing solar rooftop systems as part of home loan, preferential tariff for power generation from renewables, foreign direct investment up to 100 per cent under the automatic route etc. Recently, Goods and Services Tax has been kept at the lower level of 5% to promote the solar sector.
(d): The Government has taken various steps to encourage people to install solar rooftop systems. Details are given at Annexure-II. An aggregate capacity of 704.02 MWp grid connected rooftop solar power plants have been installed in the country as on 31.07.2017.
(e): Installation of solar power helps in providing power to people especially in far-flung areas. It also provides environmental benefits resulting into combatting climate change. This apart, installation of solar panels is done quickly in comparison to other modes of power and there is low operation and maintenance cost involved. Overall solar power contributes to energy security of the country.
(f): The Government has revised the target from 20,000 MW to 100,000 MW by 2022 for grid connected solar power projects through installation of 60,000 MW of ground mounted and 40,000 MW of rooftop projects. The Year-wise targets for grid connected solar power capacity installation are given below:
Year/Category Rooftop Solar
(in MW) Large Scale Solar Power Projects (in MW) Total
(in MW)
2015-16 200 1,800 2,000
2016-17 4,800 7,200 12,000
2017-18 5,000 10,000 15,000
2018-19 6,000 10,000 16,000
2019-20 7,000 10,000 17,000
2020-21 8,000 9,500 17,500
2021-22 9,000 8,500 17,500
Total 40,000 57,000 97,000*
*3,743 MW commissioned upto 2014-15.
*******
Download PDF Files
