Lok Sabha Question No. 4653 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-30
Subject: Slow Pace of Capacity Addition in Solar Energy Sector
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: K. ASHOK KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4653

TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.03.2017

## SLOW PACE OF CAPACITY ADDITION IN SOLAR ENERGY SECTOR

## 4653.   SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR:

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

- (a) whether the slow pace of capacity addition in the solar energy sector has created room for a variety of off grid solar solutions to grow and provide electricity to those who are not yet connected to the power grid and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is targeting 12 GW a year of capacity addition of solar power whereas the country is able to achieve only 6 GW a year and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c) whether  off  grid  solar  power  is  increasingly  being  viewed  as  the  way  to  bring  sustainable  and  cheap lighting to the vast segments of the country that are yet to be connected to the electricity grid, especially in difficult terrain regions and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  POWER,  COAL,  NEW  &  RENEWABLE  ENERGY  AND  MINES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a): The pace of addition of grid connected solar power has not slowed down. Details of solar power capacity addition in last few years are given below:-

|   SI. No. | Year    | Cumulative capacity (MW)     |
|-----------|---------|------------------------------|
|         1 | 2013-14 | 2631.9MW                     |
|         2 | 2014-15 | 3743.97MW                    |
|         3 | 2015-16 | 6762.85MW                    |
|         4 | 2016-17 | 10176.18MW (as on 21.3.2017) |

As different type of solar installations serve different category of beneficiaries, Government is promoting both grid connected ground mounted projects as well as rooftop projects apart from promotion of solar off grid solutions.

## (b): The year-wise target of solar power are given below:

| Year/Category   | Rooftop Solar   | Large Scale Solar Power Projects   | Total   |
|-----------------|-----------------|------------------------------------|---------|
| 2015-16         | 200             | 1,800                              | 2,000   |
| 2016-17         | 4,800           | 7,200                              | 12,000  |
| 2017-18         | 5,000           | 10,000                             | 15,000  |
| 2018-19         | 6,000           | 10,000                             | 16,000  |
| 2019-20         | 7,000           | 10,000                             | 17,000  |
| 2020-21         | 8,000           | 9,500                              | 17,500  |
| 2021-22         | 9,000           | 8,500                              | 17,500  |
| Total           | 40,000          | 57,000                             | 97,000* |

The cumulative solar power capacity installation, as on 21.3.2017, is 10.18 GW. Land availability power evacuation infrastructure, Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) compliance are major challenges in meeting the targets.

- (c): Yes, Madam. Government is providing Central financial assistance as per respective scheme guidelines for off-grid solutions like Solar  Lanterns/ Study lamp, Home Lights, Street Lights, Solar Power Plant (MWp), Solar Pumps etc.

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