India’s Solar Energy Story Basks in the Glory

Minister of power and renewable energy R.K. Singh informs that the solar energy capacity of the country has nearly tripled in the last 5 years from 21651 MW to 64380 MW.

March 17, 2023. By Anurima Mondal

Endowed with abundant sunshine almost throughout the year, India has vast solar energy potential. While the country plans to have 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, the solar energy sector is all set to play a huge role in this commitment.

Minister of power and renewable energy R.K. Singh, while replying to a written question in Lok Sabha, informed that the solar energy capacity of the country has nearly tripled in the last 5 years from 21651 MW to 64380 MW with an increase of 197 percent.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy launched Atal Jyoti Yojana (AJAY) on 20 September 2016 with the main objective to provide Solar Street Lighting Systems for public use at different locations for improvement in quality of life, safety and security.

Under AJAY Phase-I, the Parliament Constituencies of the states of Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh were covered. Subsequently, Phase-II of AJAY was launched in December 2018 and closed in April 2020. Coverage of AJAY Phase-II included Parliament Constituencies of the states covered in AJAY Phase-I, hill states and union territories, north-eastern states, island UTs, etc.

Over 1.35 lakh solar street lights were installed against the sanction of around 1.45 lakh lights in AJAY Phase-I. Under AJAY Phase-II over 1.37 lakh solar street lights have been reported installed against a sanction of around 1.50 lakh lights.

The Minister further informed that each state/union territory has been requested by the ministry to select at least one city to be developed as a solar city.

India aims to have 270 GW of solar capacity by 2030. As on 31 January 2023, a total of 168.39 GW renewable energy capacity has been installed in the country including 63.89 GW of solar power. The government has taken several measures to promote solar energy and the country seems to respond well.

Some of these measures are Waiver of Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned by 30 June 2025, declaration of trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2029-30 and setting up of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks to provide land and transmission to RE developers for installation of RE projects at large scale among others.

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Solar PV

Solar Energy in India

Solar energy projects

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RK Singh

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Atal Jyoti Yojana