Lok Sabha Question No. 85 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-21
Subject: Solar Energy
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: DINESH TRIVEDI, SAKSHI SWAMI MAHARAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 85 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2017

## SOLAR ENERGY

## *85. SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI: DR. SWAMI SAKSHIJI MAHARAJ:

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a): whether the target of generating 100 GW power through solar energy will be achieved by the Government by 2022 and if so, the steps taken and the achievements made so far in this regard;
- (b): the  demand  for  fuels  of  the  solar  energy  sector  and  the  details  of  the  investment attracted by the Government for the purpose so far;
- (c): the current status of the domestic industry of polysilicon, PV modules, Lithium ion batteries  in  terms  of  costs  and  the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  incentivise indigenous solar energy capacity building using tax credits or subsidies;
- (d): whether the Government can achieve its targets for generation of solar energy along with 'Make in India' agenda keeping in view the low cost of inputs in Chinese markets vis-avis the cost of indigenous generation of solar energy; and
- (e): if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  manner  in  which  the  target  is  likely  to  be achieved by the Government?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY (I/C) (SHRI R. K. SINGH)

- (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 85 FOR 21.12.2017 REGARDING SOLAR ENERGY

(a) and (e): As against the target of installing 100 GW of Solar Power capacity, as on 15.12.2017,  a  capacity  of  16,676  MW  has  been  installed    with  another  6500  MW capacity under installation. The trajectory for bidding of rest of solar power capacity has been finalized as under:-

| Year    | Total tenders planned (In MW)   |
|---------|---------------------------------|
| 2017-18 | 20,000*                         |
| 2018-19 | 30,000                          |
| 2019-20 | 30,000                          |

* Of this, 3600 MW capacity has already been bid out.

The Government have launched various schemes to achieve the target as detailed in the Annexure.

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- (b):  No  physical  input  fuel  is  required  for  solar  power  generation  through  solar photovoltaic  systems.  Energy  is  generated  from  the  solar  radiation  energy  which solar photovoltaic (PV) cells convert into electricity. An investment at the rate of Rs. 5 crore/MW (approx.) is required for solar PV plants. An investment Rs. 83,000 crore (approx.) has been made for the currently installed grid connected solar capacity of 16,676 MW as on 15.12.2017.
- (c): There  is no manufacturing capacity in the country for Polysilicon. The manufacturers have reported that a capacity of 3164 MW and 8398 MW has been installed for solar cells and solar modules respectively in the country. The LithiumIon battery technology has been developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)  also.  However,  commercial  manufacturing  capacity  for  the  same  has  not come up as yet.

The Government provides capital subsidy for setting up of manufacturing units for solar cells and modules and the entire value chain under Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS). This apart, in order to encourage local manufacturing, Government  have  permitted  Foreign  Direct  Investment  up  to  100%  in  renewable energy through automatic route. The Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) of solar modules is obligatory under the  Rooftop scheme and solar cells & modules under CPSU and Defence Schemes for government sector. In addition, Government have floated an Expression of Interest (EOI) for 20 GW solar manufacturing capacity.

- (d): The Government is confident of achieving the target of 100 GW of solar power capacity by the year 2022. Since the country does not have enough manufacturing capacity at present for solar cells and modules to meet full demand, both imported and indigenous solar cells and modules are being utilized for achieving the targets.

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## Annexure referred to in reply to Part (a) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 85 for 21.12.2017

## Details of schemes launched for promotion of solar energy

- i. 40,000 MW Solar Park Scheme for setting up of over 50 Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects.
- ii. Scheme for setting up 1000 MW of Grid-Connected Solar PV Power Projects by  Central  Public  Sector  Undertakings  (CPSUs)  and  Government  of  India organisations with Viability Gap Funding (VGF).
- iii. Scheme for setting up 300 MW of Grid-Connected Solar PV Power Projects by Defence Establishments and Para Military Forces with VGF.
- iv. Bundling Scheme - 15000 MW grid-connected solar PV power plants through National  Thermal  Power  Corporation  (NTPC)  Ltd./  National  Vidyut  Vyapar Nigam (NVVN).
- v. VGF  Schemes  for  setting  up  of  Grid  Connected  Solar  PV  Power  Projects through Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).
- vi. Installation of Grid Connected Solar Rooftop Power Plants.