Question : Solar Power Generation

(a) whether solar power generation method has been adopted under the Government’s campaign to promote power generation devoid of any pollution in the country;
(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) whether solar power generation capacity in the country has been assessed;
(d) if so, the details of such assessment;
(e) whether power generation cost in the field of solar power has also been assessed; and
(f) if so, the details of the maximum and minimum production cost in this field?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR POWER, COAL & NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a)&(b): The power generated from solar does not produce any pollutants. It is therefore treated as green energy. Solar power has the potential to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions. Government has scaled up the target of Solar power from 20 GW to 100 GW by 2022.

(c): Yes, Madam.

(d): The solar power generation installed capacity in the country is 5248 MW as on 15th of February, 2016.

(e): Yes, Madam

(f): The benchmark costs for Solar Photo Voltaic and Solar Thermal technologies as determined by Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) in 2015-16 are Rs.6.06 crore/MW and Rs.12.00 crore/MW respectively. However there is rapid improvement in the solar equipment technology which has resulted in fall in prices. Also solar power is being procured through open tenders and e-bidding. The tariff is therefore not uniform. Lowest tariff obtained is Rs.4.34/kWh.