Rajasthan Sets New Benchmark For Solar Power Generation In India

Rajasthan is the new numero uno state in the country in terms of its total installed capacity for solar power generation as per data compiled by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Rajasthan with total 1,167 megawatt (MW) installed capacity has overtaken Gujarat (1000 MW) the erstwhile leader in this category.

Top five states in India are (in terms of installed capacity) are:

Rajasthan: 1047 MW.

Gujarat: 1000 MW.

Madhya Pradesh: 563 MW.

Maharashtra: 363 MW.

Andhra Pradesh: 247 MW.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the then chief minister of Gujarat foresaw the potential of solar power in India and ensured that Gujarat always remained at the top as the largest generator of solar energy.

Concurrently, Rajasthan had all the basic requirements for solar such as abundant barren land and high solar radiation, but failed to leverage its potential in the absence of investor-friendly policy.

Many investors liked Gujarat's solar policy at that time and invested heavily in the state during 2009-11. But after that the dynamics of the sector changed dramatically the cost of solar power generation reduced to approx INR 6 per unit owing to the plunge in the price of solar PV panels.

Given the fall in tariffs there exists strong competition among states today to attract investment in the sector today. Rajasthan has successfully leveraged its natural advantages with a proactive policy while Gujarat's solar sector needs to reinvent itself to catch up with the neighboring state.

Rajasthan is poised to become an export hub for solar energy in India with many companies looking to set up pants here under the open access system to fulfill their renewable power purchase obligation, which will allow them to draw power at their desired locations.

As per its 2014 Solar Policy, Rajasthan is aiming at installing 25000 MW of solar power in the state with the state government launching several investor-friendly measures to tap the full potential of solar power. One of the key measures introduced was to develop solar energy projects through State, Private Enterprises or Public-Private partnership (PPP).

In this regard the state government had inked agreements number of private companies to develop solar parks with a cumulative capacity of 26,000 MW.

In the last one year, Rajasthan government has inked agreements with private players to develop solar parks with a cumulative capacity of approx 26,000 MW. Once fully operational, these parks can attract investments worth more than INR 1.50 lakh crore.

The state has also signed MoUs totaling approx INR 85, 000 crore with leading players in the segment for generating about 14,000 MW of solar power in the state.

Welspun Renewables has been instrumental in helping India meet her growing energy demands in an efficient and environmentally-friendly manner.

Solar power generation and energy storage can contribute to India’s long term energy security and help achieve its climate change objectives.