India´s solar power capacity increases 20 fold in 2011, says Bloomberg

Indian solar power capacity expanded 20-fold in 2011to at least 356 megawatts (compared to 17.8 megawatts on December 2010), a third of the targeted level, after infrastructure, financing and weather-related delays, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. India had planned to install 1,233 megawatts of central government, regional and pilot projects.

“Many projects in Gujarat state were delayed because of transmission infrastructure problems, rains, and delays in financial closure,” said Bharat Bhushan, Bloomberg New Energy Finance’s New Delhi-based solar analyst. Some are just being completed and more capacity is expected by March, he said.

The plans by the world’s third-largest energy consumer to boost capacity have provided relief for panel makers struggling with slowing growth in developed markets. Germany, the largest market for the technology, said it will cut subsidies for solar more rapidly to control costs, driving down shares of companies including Suntech Power Holdings Co. and LDK Solar Co.

Gujarat, running India’s largest solar program, has only commissioned 186 megawatts of the 933 megawatts of photovoltaic plants , New Energy Finance’s data shows. Of 140 megawatts awarded by central government auction, 75 are built.