India lags behind in achieving – Solar Electric Energy Target
According to a recent report, India will not be able to achieve its target of installing 100 Giga-watts (GW) of solar power capacity by the year 2022.
Only 50% of the 100 GW target has been met by April 2022. The total target of 100 GW includes 60 GW of utility-scale, and 40 GW of rooftop solar capacity.
Solar Energy Sector in India
- Since 2011, India’s solar energy sector has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 59%. The installed capacity of solar power in India has increased from 0.5 in 2011 to 55 GW in 2021.
- India currently ranks fifth in the world in terms of installed capacity of solar energy.
Reasons for failure to achieve goals:
- The supply chain has been disrupted due to the COVID pandemic.
- Net-metering (i.e. paying users in return for giving surplus power back to the grid) has its limits.
- Taxes on imported cells and modules have also been a big problem.
Key recommendations:
- Regulations for net metering and banking facilities should be consistent. Also, it should be implemented at the national level.
- Renewable purchase obligation (RPO) should be strictly enforced by the states.
- Capital subsidy should be given for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
- The Government of India has launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) / National Solar Mission (launched in the year 2010) to promote solar energy.
- Under this, a target has been set to achieve a total solar power installed capacity of 100 GW by the year 2022 and 300 GW by the year 2030.
Source – The Hindu
