Lok Sabha Question No. 322 (STARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Expansion of Solar Power
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA STARRED  QUESTION NO. 322

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2016

## EXPANSION OF SOLAR POWER

## *322.  SHRI PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY

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

- (a) whether the Government has announced the Generation Based Incentive Scheme for generating electricity from solar energy and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether scarcity of land is a major challenge for the expansion of solar power in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  measures  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  overcome  the  scarcity  of  land  for further expansion of solar energy sector in the country?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c):

A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 322 (2nd Priority) FOR ANSWER ON 08.12.2016 REGARDING EXPANSION OF SOLAR POWER

(a): Yes, Madam. The Government had already announced two Generation Based Incentive (GBI) Schemes for solar power projects.  The details of the schemes are as under:

## (i) Rooftop  PV  &  Small  Solar  Power  Generation  Programme  (RPSSGP) Scheme:

To give a thrust to Rooftop PV development, small solar power generation plants (100 kW to 2 MW) are being provided GBI to the projects registered during 2010-11. The Indian  Renewable  Energy  Development  Agency (IREDA), is designated as the Implementing Agency for this Scheme. Under the scheme, GBI is provided for 25 years from the date of commissioning. A total of 72 projects of 91.8 MW  in 13 states, are registered and commissioned under the scheme.

## (ii) Demonstration  Solar GBI Scheme

To develop & demonstrate mega-watt capacity grid interactive solar power generation in the country, Demonstration Solar GBI Scheme was announced in January, 2008. Under the Scheme, GBI is provided for 10 years from the date of commissioning. A total of six projects of 18 MW are registered under the Scheme.

(b): Yes,  Madam.  Around  5  acres  of  land  per  MW  of  solar  power  projects  is required.  Both  private  and  revenue  land  is allowed  for  this  purpose.  Acquisition of land with sufficient solar radiation is a challenge.

(c): The Government has planned to overcome the challenge by launching the following schemes:

- (i) Development of solar parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects;
- (ii) Development of Solar Zones in the country; and

(iii) Roof-top solar projects.

Solar parks are common development areas for solar power projects and offer the developers location/land, with prior approvals, that is well characterized with proper infrastructure  and  access  to  amenities  and  where  the  risk  of  the  projects  can  be minimized. Under Solar Zone scheme, a large zone with solar radiation and other requirements is  identified  for  solar  projects.  The  land  is  to  be  arranged  by  the  solar  project developers. Under  Roof-top  solar scheme,  land  is not required and  rather projects are established at roof-tops of the existing buildings.

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