Lok Sabha Question No. 3129 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-21
Subject: Growth in Renewable Energy Capacity
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Gautham Sigamani Pon

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3129

ANSWERED ON 21/12/2023

## GROWTH IN RENEWABLE ENERGY CAPACITY

## 3129. DR. PON GAUTHAM SIGAMANI

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

- (a) whether the rate of growth of renewable energy capacity in the country has been highest globally;
- (b) whether it is also true that solar energy is

more dependable and is available for more months in a year and therefor the Government is giving more thrust on solar energy;

- (c) if so, the details thereof
- (d) whether solar energy rooftop installations are not growing rapidly in the country and if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard;
- (e) whether the high cost of solar panels prevents the growth that the Government envisages; and
- (f) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER

## (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

- (a) The rate of growth of renewable energy capacity in the country has been one of the highest globally in the last 5 years.
- (b) & (c) There is inherent seasonal variation in energy production from various renewable energy sources, including  solar, wind,  and  hydro.  The  variability  in  energy  production  from  these  sources  exhibits complementary characteristics, for instance, solar generation is reduced during monsoon months, when wind and hydro generation is higher. A mix of different renewable energy sources can be utilized to reduce the overall variability.

Accordingly, the Government of India's policies and programmes support deployment of different renewable energy sources, including hybrid combinations of different sources.

- (d) As reported by various Distribution Companies, the cumulative Roof Top Solar (RTS) installed capacity increased from 1.8 GW as on 31.03.2019 to 10.4 GW as on 30.11.2023. The Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of RTS installations is around 46%. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has taken several steps to promote rooftop solar inter-alia include:
- Launch of National Portal where residential  consumers  from  any  part  of  the  country  can  apply  for installation of rooftop solar and get subsidy directly into his bank account under the Programme.
- Development of online portals at DISCOM level and aggregation of demand relating to RTS projects.
- Electricity  (Rights  of  Consumers)  Rules, 2020 has  been  issued for  net-metering  up to five  hundred Kilowatt or upto the electrical sanctioned load, whichever is lower.
- Facilitation of concessional loans from multilateral agencies such as the World Bank.
- Renewable energy included under priority sector lending guidelines of RBI.
- Quality standards for deployment of solar photovoltaic system/ devises notified.
- Information and public awareness activities through various mediums.

(e) & (f) The present prices of solar PV cells and module are around their lowest levels in last one and half years or so. Thus, the present prices of solar PV cells and modules are not preventing the growth of solar power installations.

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