India Surpasses 100 GW of Solar Power Capacity: Why is it Remarkable?
India's recent accomplishment of surpassing an installed solar power capacity of 100 GW is a testament to the nation's dedication to a greener and cleaner future. The achievement is also a practical step towards fulfilling a non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity of 500 GW by 2030.
The blog discusses how India's recent achievement of surpassing 100 GW of solar power capacity has solidified the nation's position as a global solar power leader. We have also tried to incorporate the challenges faced by our country to reach this milestone and the lessons learned that should guide its solar journey in the future
The Journey to 100 GW: A Decade of Progress
India's solar capacity in 2014 was 2.82 GW. By 2025, solar energy growth in India is 3450%, reaching 100 GW. The decade saw many solar initiatives, such as:
• Rewa Ultra Mega Solar, Agar-Shajapur Solar Park, and Neemuch-Mandsaur Solar Park
• PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana under the national solar mission to encourage rooftop solar panel installation in India
• Incentives by the federal government to attract foreign direct investment
The following are the other main results of the solar energy initiatives in the past decade:
• Increase in India's solar manufacturing capacity to 60 GW in 2024 from 2 GW in 2014
• Solar energy contributes 47% of India's total installed capacity from renewable energy
Also read: Power Up for the Future: Why Renewable Energy is Essential
Today, our country is on track to gain a solar module production capacity of 100 GW by 2030. Thus, the initiatives in the past decade have helped India improve its energy access in urban and rural areas while reducing its dependence on fuels that cause pollution.
Driving Forces for India’s Solar Capacity Expansion: National Solar Mission and Policy Initiatives
The National Solar Mission, also called the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, was the main driving force behind India's achievement of 100 GW of solar power capacity. The following are some of the facilitating aspects of the Jawaharlal Nehru Solar Mission:
• A clear target to achieve a solar power capacity of 100 GW by 2022
• Establishment of extensive solar parks with required infrastructure
• Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to encourage private investor participation in financial help for solar projects
• Active encouragement for the installation of rooftop solar panels
• Implementation of policies promoting domestic manufacturing of solar equipment
• A comprehensive policy framework with clear policies to streamline the development process and ease project approvals.
Technological Advancements and Infrastructure Development that Enabled India’s Solar Capacity Expansion
India's journey to 100 GW of solar power capacity became possible because of infrastructure development and technological advancements. Some of these are:
• Monocrystalline and polycrystalline modules and other progress in solar photovoltaic (PV) technology
• Infrastructure development for solar power projects in India through solar parks
• PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and other government schemes to encourage solar panel installation in India
• Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and other policies boosting India's solar module production capacity
• Smart grids' development to integrate solar power into existing electricity grid
• Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission and other such government policies
These technological advancements and infrastructure development lowered solar panel costs, making solar power more affordable. Several job opportunities across installation, maintenance, and manufacturing are another positive outcome. Finally, the latest achievement contributes to India's renewable energy targets by reducing carbon emissions.
Also read: Government Initiatives for Renewable Energy in India: Updated List
Rewa Ultra Mega Solar, Agar-Shajapur Solar Park, and Neemuch-Mandsaur Solar Park
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana under the national solar mission to encourage rooftop solar panel installation in India
Incentives by the federal government to attract foreign direct investment
Economic and Environmental Impacts of Solar Energy Growth in India
India's journey to 100 GW of solar power capacity significantly influences the economy of the nation by:
• Generating job opportunities
• Boosting domestic manufacturing with incentives for solar panel production
• Reducing energy costs by replacing fossil fuels with solar power
• Attracting foreign investment to a robust solar energy sector
• Improving energy security
The environmental benefits of achieving 100 GW of solar power capacity are:
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
• Mitigating concerns about water scarcity
• Minimizing air pollution
Challenges Overcome and Lessons Learned Through India's Journey to 100 GW of Solar Power Capacity
India faced several obstacles before achieving 100 GW of solar power capacity. Some of these are:
• Initial limitations in domestic manufacturing solar components
• Limited grid infrastructure to integrate solar power at large scale
• Local resistance or bureaucratic hurdles in land acquisition for solar power projects in India
• Financing constraints faced by developers and consumers
• Lack of awareness among consumers about the benefits of solar power
The government took several measures to overcome these obstacles, of which the most important are:
• Policy initiatives like Solar Mission India or Jawaharlal Nehru Solar Mission
• Boosting domestic manufacturing of solar components
• Upgradation of grid infrastructure
• Stakeholder engagement and improved regulations for efficient land acquisition
• Introduction of solar financing schemes
• Public awareness campaigns about the benefits of solar power.
India's Journey to 100 GW of Solar Power Capacity: Future of Solar Energy in India
The renewable energy target of India for 2030 stands at the generation of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy. This target is expected to play a significant role in the future of solar energy in India. As non-fossil fuels include solar along with biomass, wind, and small and large hydropower, this target should boost the building of solar parks in the nation.
Further, programs such as PM Surya Ghar, PLI schemes, and PM-KUSUM should encourage the construction of solar parks. Thus, solar energy should address climate change and bolster the energy security of India by reducing its need for imported fossil fuels.
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