Lok Sabha Question No. 2129 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-08
Subject: Solar Power Production
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: ABHISHEK SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2129

TO BE ANSWERED ON-08.03.2018

## SOLAR POWER PRODUCTION

## 2129. SHRI ABHISHEK SINGH

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

(a) the quantum of solar power production at present and its per unit cost of generation and transmission in the country;

(b) the steps taken by the Union Government to promote and facilitate research in solar energy generation to make it cost effective; and

(c) whether the Union Government has taken initiative to coordinate with countries which are ahead of India in utilising solar power and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) As on 31 st January, 2018, 18454 MW of Solar Power has been installed in the Country. The quantum of solar power production was 19.85 BU till Jan'2018 (i.e. from April'2017 to January'2018).  The cost of energy keeps changing from State to State depending on technology, location of power plants and radiation at site. Solar  power  is  being  procured  through  open  tenders  and  e-bidding.  Lowest  tariff  till  date  obtained  is  Rs. 2.44/kWh in Bhadla solar power project in Rajasthan.

(b) The following steps are taken to promote and facilitate research in solar energy generation to make cost effective:

-  Under the National Solar Mission, a R&D programme has been focusing on improving efficiency in existing applications, reducing costs of Balance of Systems, testing hybrid co-generation and addressing constraints of variability, space-intensity and lack of convenient and cost-effective storage.
-  The Ministry supports a scheme 'Research, Design, Development, Demonstration  (RDD&D)  and Manufacture  of  Solar  Energy'  through  various  research  institutions  and  industry.  Ministry  provides  upto 100% financial support to Government/non-profit research organizations/NGOs and upto 50% to industry/civil society organizations
-  Fiscal  and  financial  incentives  in  the  form  of  accelerated  depreciation,  concessional  customs  duties, preferential  tariffs  and  generation  based  incentives  are  being  provided  to  improve  viability  of  solar  power generation units.
-  38 Solar Parks in 22 States are sanctioned in various parts of the country to achieve cost reductions of solar power generation through economies of scale and combined power evacuation facility.
-  Procurement of solar power by Government CPSUs like NTPC, NLC, SECI etc.
-  Long term vision and stable policy framework so that investors can plan better for investment.
-  Transparent E-reverse auction for procurement of solar power, which has already resulted in a price of Rs. 2.44 /Kwh, almost at grid parity with the conventional sources of electricity.
-  Waiver of charges for Inter State Transmission of the solar power till March, 2022.

(c) The Ministry has already taken initiative to partner with other countries to develop solar energy projects. The details of sanctioned project with international collaboration are given below:-

-  Indo-German for 1 MW solar thermal power plant at Mount Abu by WRST Mumbai,
-  Indo- Spanish for monitoring system for the energy reception elements in Solar Thermal plants by TERI, New Delhi
-  Indo-Japan for 30 kW cross liner-CSP system Test Unit by RGPV Bhopal,
-  Indo-US  for  High  Energy  Density  Thermal  Energy  Storage  for  Concentrated  Solar  Plant  by  RKDF University, Bhopal.

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