Grid-Tied Solar Capacity Approaching 30 GW: RK Singh

The cumulative grid-connected installed solar power capacity in India is approaching the 30 GW mark, as per the data revealed by RK Singh.

The cumulative grid-connected installed solar power capacity in India is approaching the 30 GW mark sooner rather than later with the installed capacity at the end of May 2019, being 29,409 MW, Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy, RK Singh confirmed in a written response to the Parliament.

The Government of India has set a target of 175 GW renewable power capacity to be installed in the country by 2022. This consists of 100 GW from Solar, 60 GW from Wind, 10 GW from Biomass and 5 GW from Small Hydro.

In his response, the minister wrote that in order to achieve the target of 100 GW from Solar, the Government has launched various schemes like the “Solar Park Scheme” which is targeting over 40,000 MW of projects, the KUSUM scheme and more. And that at present the installed grid-connected solar capacity in the country, due to these schemes is just shy of 30 GW.

According to the data provided in his response, the leading states when it comes to installing solar capacity connected to the grid are:

1. Karnataka with 6134.90 MW installed capacity
2. Telangana with 3598.80 MW of grid-tied projects
3. Rajasthan with 3551 MW of projects
4. Andhra Pradesh with 3290.76 MW capacity, and
5. Tamil Nadu with 2812.05 MW installed capacity.

Recently, the Minister while answering a question in the Lok Sabha said that the government will not only achieve the target of installing 175 GW of renewable power by 2022 but also cross that milestone. Adding that so far total renewable power capacity of 33.47 GW has been installed in the country during the last three years till May 31, 2019.

Singh added that India is moving very fast in adding renewable energy capacities. He also said that in the next 15-20 days, a scheme will be launched for farmers where they can set up 2 MW solar panel to produce power which will be bought by the government. Through this, he said, farmers can earn up to Rs one lakh per year.