solar power in India

The Government of India had an initial target of 20 GW capacity for 2022, which was achieved four years ahead of schedule.{{cite web|date=31 January 2018|title=India hits 20 GW solar capacity milestone|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/developmental-issues/india-hits-20gw-solar-capacity-milestone/articleshow/62715512.cms|access-date=4 February 2018|website=The Times of India}} In 2015 the target was raised to 100 GW of solar capacity (including 40 GW from rooftop solar) by 2022, targeting an investment of {{USD}}100 billion.{{cite news |author=Das |first=Krishna N. |date=2 January 2015 |title=India's Modi raises solar investment target to $100 bln by 2022 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/india-solar-idUSL3N0UG13H20150102 |access-date=2 January 2015}}{{cite web|last=Kenning|first=Tom|date=2 July 2015|title=India releases state targets for 40GW rooftop solar by 2022|url=http://www.pv-tech.org/news/india_releases_individual_state_targets_for_40gw_rooftop_solar_by_2022|access-date=29 July 2016|website=PV Tech}} The target was widely missed by 40,000 MW shortfall due to poor performance in the rooftop sector.

Rooftop solar power accounts for 2.1 GW in 2018, of which 70% is industrial or commercial.{{cite news|date=18 January 2019|title=Renewable energy in India: why rooftop remains the most untapped solar source|work=Down to Earth|url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/energy/renewable-energy-in-india-why-rooftop-remains-the-most-untapped-solar-source-62873|access-date=18 January 2019}} In addition to its large-scale grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) initiative, India is developing off-grid solar power for local energy needs.{{cite news |agency=PTI|date=31 July 2018|title=Solar water pumps can help India surpass 100 GW target: Report|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/solar-water-pumps-can-help-india-surpass-100-gw-target-report/articleshow/65214158.cms|access-date=2 August 2017|newspaper=The Economic Times}} Solar products have increasingly helped to meet rural needs; by the end of 2015 just under 10 lakh (1 million) solar lanterns were sold in the country, reducing the need for kerosene.{{cite web |url=http://mnre.gov.in/file-manager/annual-report/2015-2016/EN/Chapter%201/chapter_1.htm |title=Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Annual Report 2015-2016 |access-date=21 April 2017}} That year, 118,700 solar home lighting systems were installed and 46,655 solar street lighting installations were provided under a national programme; just over 14 lakh (1.4 million) solar cookers were distributed in India.

{{anchor|Solar resources}}

File:India PVOUT mid-size-map 156x194mm-300dpi v20191015.png

With about 300 clear and sunny days in a year, the calculated solar energy incidence on India's land area is about 5,000 lakh crore (5,000 trillion) kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year (or 5 EWh/yr).{{cite journal |last1=Muneer |first1=Tariq |last2=Asif |first2=Muhammad |last3=Munawwar |first3=Saima |title=Sustainable production of solar electricity with particular reference to the Indian economy |journal=Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews |date=October 2005 |volume=9 |issue=5 |pages=444–473 |doi=10.1016/j.rser.2004.03.004 |bibcode=2005RSERv...9..444M }}{{cite web |url=http://www.mnre.gov.in/schemes/grid-connected/solar/ |title=Solar |publisher=Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Govt. of India |access-date=21 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225160014/http://www.mnre.gov.in/schemes/grid-connected/solar/ |archive-date=25 February 2014 }} The solar energy available in a single year exceeds the possible energy output of all of the fossil fuel energy reserves in India. The daily average solar-power-plant generation capacity in India is 0.30 kWh per m² of used land area,{{cite web |title=Welcome |website=Global solar atlas|url=https://globalsolaratlas.info/map|access-date=4 February 2021}} equivalent to 1,400–1,800 peak (rated) capacity operating hours in a year with available, commercially-proven technology.{{cite web|title=How to calculate the annual solar energy output of a photovoltaic system?|url=http://photovoltaic-software.com/PV-solar-energy-calculation.php|access-date=30 June 2017|website=Photovoltaic-Software.com}}{{cite web |title=Mismatch Effects. Comprehensive technical data of PV modules |url=http://www.pveducation.org/pvcdrom/modules/mismatch-effects |access-date=21 February 2015 |website=pveducation.org}}{{cite web|last=Prasad|first=Nithin Thomas|date=22 May 2020|title=Goodbye Polycrystalline Solar Modules, Hello Mono PERC, HJT, Bifacial|url=https://mercomindia.com/goodbye-polycrystalline-solar-modules-bifacial/|access-date=22 May 2020|website=Mercom India}}

{{Location map many | India

| caption = Solar radiation resource assessment stations (SRRA) in India. MNRE Phase1 10px, MNRE Phase2 10px, MEDA 10px, AMS 10px, ANERT 10px SRRA stations.{{cite web |title=List of SRRA Stations with Co-ordinates |url=https://niwe.res.in/department_srra_stations_phase1.php |website=National Institute of Wind Energy, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India |access-date=20 June 2021}}

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In June 2015, India began a {{INRConvert|40|c|lk=on}} project to measure solar radiation with a spatial resolution of {{convert|3|x|3|km}}. This solar-radiation measuring network provides the basis for the Indian solar-radiation atlas. 121 solar radiation resource assessment (SRRA) stations have been installed across India by the National Institute of Wind Energy, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to create a database of solar-energy potential. Data is collected and reported to the Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET). Among the parameters measured are Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI), Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) and Diffuse Horizontal Irradiance (DHI).{{Cite web|last=Ananda|first=Jonathan|date=4 June 2015|title=Solar Radiation Measuring Network, Atlas Out in the Open|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2015/jun/04/solar-radiation-measuring-network-atlas-out-in-the-open-750750.html|access-date=20 June 2021|website=The New Indian Express}}{{Cite web|title=National Institute of Solar Energy|url=https://nise.res.in/|access-date=20 June 2021|website=nise.res.in}}

Currently, 90% of India's solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity is concentrated in just nine states, raising concerns about the resilience of a future PV-dominated grid. Recent studies have shown that during cyclones, PV generation can plummet to near-zero levels. Given that a significant portion of India is prone to cyclones, dust storms, and monsoon rains, deploying PV plants in regions with uncorrelated irradiance profiles can significantly reduce the overall risk of low generation and variability of PV output. In essence, the concentration of PV capacity in a few regions poses an inherent risk to the future of a PV-dominated grid in India. Geographically diversifying PV sites in India yields multifaceted benefits beyond weather resilience. It can facilitate the strategic integration of regional irradiation patterns, resulting in a balanced year-round energy harvest. Moreover, expanding the geographical footprint extends the effective "daylight hours" for solar generation, bolstering grid reliability. Additionally, this approach mitigates peak production surges, easing grid management and potentially accommodating further PV capacity. Notably, it fosters synergy with existing hydropower infrastructure in the Northeast and leverages the exceptional solar potential of Ladakh, unlocking diverse renewable energy avenues.{{cite journal |last1=Ghosh |first1=Saikat |last2=Roy |first2=Jatindra Nath |last3=Chakraborty |first3=Chandan |title=Exploring the merits of geographical diversification of solar PV power plants for a resilient PV-dominated electricity grid in India |journal=Clean Energy |date=August 2023 |volume=7 |issue=4 |pages=885–910 |doi=10.1093/ce/zkad024 |doi-access=free }}

{{Bar graph

| title = Installed solar PV on 31 March

| float = right

| bar_width = 21

| width_units = em

| data_max = 115000

| label_type = Year:

| data_type = Cumulative capacity (in MW_AC)

| label1 = 2010

| data1 = 161

| label2 = 2011

| data2 = 461

| label3 = 2012

| data3 = 1,205

| label4 = 2013

| data4 = 2,319

| label5 = 2014

| data5 = 2,632

| label6 = 2015

| data6 = 3,744

| label7 = 2016

| data7 = 6,763

| label8 = 2017

| data8 = 12,289

| label9 = 2018

| data9 = 21,651

| label10 = 2019

| data10 = 28,181

| label11 = 2020

| data11 = 34,627

| label12 = 2021

| data12 = 40,085

| label13 = 2022

| data13 = 56,951

| label14 = 2023

| data14 = 66,781

| label15 =2024

| data15 =81,813

|label16 =2025

|data16 =105,647

}}

{{main|Power sector of Andhra Pradesh}}

The installed photovoltaic capacity in Andhra Pradesh was 4257 MW as of 30 September 2022.{{cite web|title=Status of Renewable Energy Power Projects Commissioned in AP State, NREDCAP|url=https://www.nredcap.in/PDFs/2022/RE_Projects_as_on_30_09_2022.pdf|access-date=7 October 2022|website=New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh}} The state is planning to add 10,050 MW solar power capacity to provide power supply to the farming sector during the day time.{{cite web |last=P |first=Jayanth |date=11 May 2020 |title=10,050 MW mega solar power plants to come up in two phases in Andhra Pradesh |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2020/may/11/10050-mw-mega-solar-power-plants-to-come-up-in-two-phases-in-andhra-pradesh-2141850.html |access-date=1 October 2020 |website=The New Indian Express}}{{cite web|title=Bid documents (6050 MW) submitted for judicial review (s.no. 6 to 15)|url=https://judicialpreview.ap.gov.in/syo?year=2020&month=September|access-date=2 October 2020|website=Judicial Preview, Government of Andhra Pradesh}}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The state has also offered five Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects with a total capacity of 12,200 MW to developers under renewable power export policy outside the state.{{cite web|title=Kadiri ultra-mega solar park (4000 MW)|url=https://nredcap.in/PDFs/2020_Tenders/01_Kadiri_Feasibility_Report_Ananthapur.pdf|access-date=2 October 2020|website=New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh}}{{cite web|title=Obuladevucheruvu ultra-mega solar park (2400MW)|url=https://nredcap.in/PDFs/2020_Tenders/02_Obuladevara_Cheruvu_Feasibility_Report_Ananthapur.pdf|access-date=2 October 2020|website=New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh}}{{cite web|title=Ralla Anantapuram ultra-mega solar park (2400 MW)|url=https://nredcap.in/PDFs/2020_Tenders/03_Ralla_Anantapur_Feasibility_Report_Ananthapur.pdf|access-date=2 October 2020|website=New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh}}{{cite web|title=Badvel ultra-mega solar park (1400MW)|url=https://nredcap.in/PDFs/2020_Tenders/04_Badvel_Feasibility_Report_Kadapa.pdf|access-date=2 October 2020|website=New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh}}{{cite web|title=Kalasapadu ultra-mega solar park (2000MW)|url=https://nredcap.in/PDFs/2020_Tenders/05_Kalasapadu_Feasibility_Report_Kadapa.pdf|access-date=2 October 2020|website=New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh}} Andhra Pradesh is endowed with abundant pumped hydroelectric energy storage to make available solar power{{cite web |title=Solar Regulations in Andhra Pradesh, 2021 |url=https://de.energy/blog/solar-regulations-in-andhra-pradesh-2021/ |website=de.energy |publisher=Distributed Energy |access-date=5 August 2021}} in to round the clock power supply for meeting its ultimate energy needs.{{cite web|last=Colthorpe|first=Andy|date=24 July 2018|title=Andhra Pradesh gov't approves 2.75GW solar-wind-pumped hydro project by Greenko|url=https://www.energy-storage.news/news/andhra-pradesh-govt-approves-2.75gw-solar-wind-pumped-hydro-project-by-gree|access-date=20 November 2019|website=energy-storage.news}}{{cite web|url=https://nationalmap.gov.au/renewables/#share=s-oDPMo1jDBBtwBNhD |title=Interactive map showing the feasible locations of PSS projects in Andhra Pradesh state |access-date=19 November 2019 }}{{cite web|last=Barnard|first=Michael|date=9 November 2019|title=Elon Musk Should Build Pumped Hydro With Tesla Energy, The Boring Co., & Coal Miners|url=https://cleantechnica.com/2019/11/09/elon-musk-should-build-pumped-hydro-with-tesla-energy-the-boring-co-coal-miners/|access-date=17 May 2020|website=Clean Technica}} The state is planning to construct 33,000 MW pumped storage projects to mitigate the intermittency associated with renewable energy.{{cite news |agency=PTI|date=20 February 2021|title="Andhra's Rapid Industrialisation Only With Special Status": Jagan Reddy|url=https://www.ndtv.com/andhra-pradesh-news/andhras-rapid-industrialisation-only-with-special-status-jagan-reddy-2374886|access-date=21 February 2021|work=NDTV}}

In 2015, NTPC agreed with APTransCo to install the 250-MW NP Kunta Ultra Mega Solar Power Project near Kadiri in Anantapur district.{{Cite news|date=10 May 2016|title=Power generation begins at Kunta ultra mega solar project|newspaper=Business Standard India|agency=Press Trust of India|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/power-generation-begins-at-kunta-ultra-mega-solar-project-116051001059_1.html|access-date=11 May 2016}}{{cite web|date=24 April 2015|title=NTPC signs PPA for phase 1 of 1,000 mw ultra solar project with AP discoms|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/ntpc-signs-ppa-for-phase-1-of-1-000-mw-ultra-solar-project-with-ap-discoms-115042400659_1.html|access-date=23 June 2014|website=Business Standard India}} In October 2017, 1000 MW was commissioned at Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park which has become the world's largest solar power plant at that time.{{cite web|title=The World's Largest Solar Park – Kurnool, India|url=https://www.nrdc.org/experts/anjali-jaiswal/worlds-largest-solar-park-kurnool-india|access-date=1 November 2017|website=NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council)|date=31 October 2017 }} In August 2018, Greater Visakhapatnam commissioned a 2 MW Mudasarlova Reservoir grid-connected floating solar project which is the largest operational floating solar PV project in India.{{cite web|last=Kabeer|first=Nitin|date=24 December 2018|title=Floating Solar Tender of 15 MW Announced by Greater Visakhapatnam Smart City|url=https://mercomindia.com/floating-solar-tender-15-mw-greater-visakhapatnam/|access-date=24 December 2018|website=Mercom India}} NTPC Simhadri has awarded BHEL to install a 25 MW floating solar PV plant on its water supply reservoir.{{cite news |agency=PTI|date=14 July 2019|title=BHEL bags Rs 100-cr EPC order from NTPC to set up solar power plant|url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/power/bhel-bags-rs-100-cr-epc-order-from-ntpc-to-set-up-solar-power-plant/70216628|access-date=15 July 2019|newspaper=Economic Times}} APGENCO commissioned 400 MW Ananthapuram – II solar park located at Talaricheruvu village near Tadipatri.{{Cite news|date=20 February 2019|title=Solar plant commissioned|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/solar-plant-commissioned/article26315321.ece|access-date=18 June 2021|issn=0971-751X}}

Delhi, the capital and a city state in India, has limitation in installing ground based solar power plants. However, it is leading in rooftop solar powered plants installations by adopting a fully flexible net metering system.{{cite web|last=Verma|first=Richi|date=18 December 2018|title=Delhi: Multiple consumers can benefit from a single solar plant at one location|url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/delhi-multiple-consumers-can-benefit-from-a-single-solar-plant-at-one-location/67137679|access-date=18 December 2018|website=ETEnergyworld.com}} The installed solar power capacity was 211 MW as on 30 June 2022. The Delhi government announced that the Rajghat thermal power plant will be officially shut at the 45 acre plant site and turned into a 5 MW solar power PV plant.

{{see also|Solar Power in Gujarat}}

Gujarat is one of India's most solar-developed states, with its total installed solar power generation capacity reaching 7,806 MW as of 30 June 2022.{{Cite web|last1=Dave|first1=Kapil|last2=Damor|first2=Kalpesh|date=7 July 2021|title=Green leap: Gujarat set for 3-fold RE surge|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/green-leap-gujarat-set-for-3-fold-re-surge/articleshow/84186993.cms|access-date=21 September 2021|website=The Times of India}}

Gujarat has been a leader in solar-power generation in India due to its high solar-power potential, availability of vacant land, connectivity, transmission and distribution infrastructure and utilities. According to a report by the Low Emission Development Strategies Global Partnership (LEDS GP) report, these attributes are complemented by political will and investment.{{full citation needed|date=May 2017}} The 2009 Solar Power of Gujarat policy framework, financing mechanism and incentives have contributed to a green investment climate in the state and the targets for grid-connected solar power.{{cite web|date=June 2016|title=Pioneering and scaling up solar energy in India – webinar and related resources|url=http://ledsgp.org/resource/scaling-up-solar-energy-india-webinar/?loclang=en_gb|access-date=20 June 2021|work=The Low Emission Development Strategies Global Partnership}}{{cite web|date=4 March 2017|title=Gujarat government buys solar power at Rs 15 per unit from 38 firms|url=https://energyinfrapost.com/gujarat-government-buys-solar-power-rs-15-per-unit-38-firms/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421142411/https://energyinfrapost.com/gujarat-government-buys-solar-power-rs-15-per-unit-38-firms/|archive-date=21 April 2019|access-date=5 March 2017|website=Energy Infra Post}}

The state has commissioned Asia's largest solar park near the village of Charanka in Patan district, the Gujarat Solar Park-1.{{cite web|title=Charanka Solar Park|url=http://mnre.gov.in/file-manager/UserFiles/presentations-challenges_and_issues_in_solar_RPO_compliance_24072012/Charanka%20Solar%20Park%20(Gujarat)_GEDA_24.07.2012.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517113820/http://mnre.gov.in:80/file-manager/UserFiles/presentations-challenges_and_issues_in_solar_RPO_compliance_24072012/Charanka%20Solar%20Park%20(Gujarat)_GEDA_24.07.2012.pdf|archive-date=17 May 2017|access-date=20 June 2021|website=Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India}} The park is generating 345 MW by March 2016 of its 500 MW total planned capacity and has been cited as an innovative and environmentally-friendly project by the Confederation of Indian Industry.In December 2018,{{Cite web |title=India's first solar park at Charanka village in Gujarat |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/infrastructure/indias-first-solar-park-at-charanka-village-in-gujarat/slideshow/20683992.cms |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=The Economic Times}} 700 MW Solar PV plant at Raghanesda Solar Park is contracted at ₹2.89/unit levelised tariff.{{cite web|last=Chandrasekaran|first=Kaavya|date=13 January 2019|title=Foreign players sweep Gujarat solar auction|url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/foreign-players-sweep-gujarat-solar-auction/67197676|access-date=22 December 2018|website=ETEnergyworld.com}}

To make Gandhinagar a solar-power city, the state government has begun a rooftop solar-power generation scheme. Under the scheme, Gujarat plans to generate 5 MW of solar power by putting solar panels on about 50 state-government buildings and 500 private buildings.

It also plans to generate solar power by putting solar panels along the Narmada irrigation canals. As part of this scheme, the state has commissioned the 1 MW Canal Solar Power Project on a branch of the Narmada Canal near the village of Chandrasan in Mehsana district. The pilot project is expected to stop {{convert|90000|L|usgal impgal}} of water per year from evaporating from the Narmada River.

State has set the 4.2 GW solar power (including 1.6 GW solar roof top) target by 2022 as it has high potential since it has at least 330 sunny days. Haryana is one of the fastest growing state in terms of solar energy with installed and commissioned capacity of 73.27 MW. Out of this, 57.88 MW was commissioned in FY 2016/17. Haryana solar power policy announced in 2016 offers 90% subsidy to farmers for the solar powered water pumps, which also offers subsidy for the solar street lighting, home lighting solutions, solar water heating schemes, solar cooker schemes. It is mandatory for new residential buildings larger than {{convert|500|sqyd|m2}} to install 3% to 5% solar capacity for no building plan sanctioning is required, and a loan of up to ₹10 lakh is made available to the residential property owners. Haryana provides 100% waiver of electricity taxes, cess, electricity duty, wheeling charges, cross subsidy charges, transmission and distribution charges, etc. for rooftop solar projects.

In December 2018, Haryana had installed solar capacity of 48.80 MW,{{Cite web|last=Prateek|first=Saumy|date=21 December 2018|title=DiSPA Asks Haryana to Remove Upper Cap of 500 MW for Open Access Solar Projects|url=https://mercomindia.com/dispa-haryana-remove-cap-500mw-solar-open-access/|access-date=20 June 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}} and in January 2019 Haryana floated tender for 300 MW grid-connected solar power,{{Cite web|last=Prateek|first=Saumy|date=4 January 2019|title=Haryana Floats Tender for 300 MW of Solar Projects with a Tariff Ceiling of ₹3/kWh|url=https://mercomindia.com/haryana-solar-tender-300-mw/|access-date=20 June 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}} and additional 16 MW tender for the canal top solar power.{{Cite web|last=Prateek|first=Saumy|date=10 January 2019|title=Haryana Calls Developers to Set Up 16 MW of Canal Top Solar Projects|url=https://mercomindia.com/haryana-developers-16-mw-canal-top-solar/|access-date=20 June 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}}

Karnataka is one of the highest solar power producing state in India with a total 7,597 MW installed capacity by the end of June 2022.{{Cite web|last=Rajeshwari|first=Ankita|date=17 May 2018|title=India's Top 10 Solar States in Charts|url=https://mercomindia.com/top-solar-states-charts/|access-date=20 June 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}} The installed capacity of Pavagada Solar Park is 2050 MW by the end of year 2019 which was the world biggest solar park at that time.{{Cite web|last=Ranjan|first=Rakesh|date=27 December 2019|title=World's Largest Solar Park at Karnataka's Pavagada is Now Fully Operational|url=https://mercomindia.com/karnatakas-pavagada-solar-operational/|access-date=20 June 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}}

The installed capacity of solar plants in Kerala as on 31 March 2023 is 761 MW. Kochi international airport is the first airport to run completely in solar energy. CIAL solar farm is responsible for it. There are plans to set up solar power plants in Idukki, Wayanad, Malappuram and Palakkad districts.

The first solar park in Kerala is located in Perla, Kasaragod Perla, Kasaragod. Floating Solar parks are being built and partly functional in Banasura Sagar, Idukki Dam and Vembanad Lake.

Ladakh, though a late entrant in solar power plants, is planning to install nearly 7,500 MW capacity in few years.{{Cite web|author=Prabha Raghavan |author2=Anil Sasi |date=12 September 2019|title=Site decided, Govt clears mega solar project in Leh and Kargil|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/site-decided-govt-clears-mega-solar-project-in-leh-and-kargil-5987333/|access-date=20 June 2021|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}

Madhya Pradesh had a total photovoltaic capacity of 1,117 MW by the end of July 2017. The Welspun Solar MP project, the largest solar-power plant in the state, was built at a cost of {{INRConvert|11|b}} on {{convert|305|ha|km2|abbr=on}} of land and will supply power at {{INRConvert|8.05}} per kWh. A 130 MW solar power plant project at Bhagwanpura, a village in Neemuch district, was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is the largest solar producer, and Welspun Energy is one of the top three companies in India's renewable-energy sector.{{cite web|title=Solar Projects|url=http://www.welspunrenewables.com/business.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151101115618/http://www.welspunrenewables.com/business.html|archive-date=1 November 2015|access-date=26 October 2015|website=Welspun Renewables}}

A planned 750 MW solar-power plant in Rewa district, the Rewa Ultra Mega Solar plant, was completed and inaugurated on 10 July 2020.{{Cite web|date=10 July 2020|title='Sure, pure and secure': PM Modi inaugurates Asia's largest solar plant in MP's Rewa|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sure-pure-and-secure-pm-modi-inaugurates-asia-s-largest-solar-plant-in-mp-s-rewa/story-D0PL4ssjPZ3UH7LNsfxZiO.html|access-date=10 July 2020|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}} Spread over 1,590 acres, it is Asia's largest solar power plant and was constructed at a cost of ₹4,500 crore.{{Cite web|date=9 July 2020|title=PM Modi to inaugurate Asia's Second largest 750-MW Rewa solar plant tomorrow: All you need to know|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-asias-largest-750-mw-rewa-solar-plant-tomorrow-all-you-need-to-know/articleshow/76878434.cms|access-date=10 July 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Electricity |website=District Rewa |url=https://rewa.nic.in/en/district-produce/electricity/|access-date=10 July 2020|language=en-US}} Madhya Pradesh I is a power plant under construction near Surajpur Village in the Shajapur district of Madhya Pradesh with 200 MW. It is scheduled to be operational by fall 2023.[https://www.thomas-lloyd.com/en/portfolio-item/madhya-pradesh-i Thomas Lloyd: Madhya Pradesh I in Shajapur District]. Retrieved 21 September 2021.

File:Pune station 1.jpg

The 125-MW Sakri solar plant is the largest solar-power plant in Maharashtra. The Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust has the world's largest solar steam system. It was constructed at the Shirdi shrine at an estimated cost of {{INRConvert|13.3|m}}, {{INRConvert|5840000}} which was paid as a subsidy by the renewable-energy ministry. The system is used to cook 50,000 meals per day for pilgrims visiting the shrine, resulting in annual savings of 100,000  kg of cooking gas, and was designed to generate steam for cooking even in the absence of electricity to run the circulating pump. The project to install and commission the system was completed in seven months, and the system has a design life of 25 years.{{Cite web|last=Ray|first=Kalyan|date=31 July 2009|title=Shirdi's solar cooker finds a place under sun|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/16952/shirdis-solar-cooker-finds-place.html|access-date=20 June 2021|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}} The Osmanabad region in Maharashtra has abundant sunlight, and is ranked the third-best region in India in solar insolation. A 10 MW solar power plant in Osmanabad was commissioned in 2013. According to reports published by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), its aggregate solar power potential capacity is 64.32 GW.{{cite web |title=Overview of Renewable Energy Plan and performance in Maharashtra |url=https://de.energy/blog/overview-of-renewable-energy-plan-and-performance-in-maharashtra/ |website=de.energy |publisher=Distributed Energy |access-date=5 August 2021}}

Rajasthan is one of India's most solar-developed states, with its total photovoltaic capacity reaching 14,454 MW by end of June 2022. Rajasthan is also home to the world's largest Fresnel type 125 MW CSP plant at the Dhirubhai Ambani Solar Park.{{cite news|last=Chandrasekaran|first=Kaavya|date=6 April 2017|title=India's solar capacity to cross 20GW in next 15 months: Piyush Goyal|website=The Economic Times|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/indias-solar-energy-capacity-expanded-by-record-5525-mw/articleshow/58037873.cms|access-date=6 April 2017}}{{cite web|date=12 November 2014|title=Reliance Power commissions world's largest Solar CSP project in Rajasthan|url=http://www.estelasolar.org/techologies-plants/the-4-types-of-csp-electricity-technologies/linear-fresnel-reflector/|access-date=14 March 2017|website=Estela Solar}} Jodhpur district leads the state with installed capacity of over 1,500 MW, followed by Jaisalmer and Bikaner.

The Bhadla Solar Park, with total installed capacity of 2,245 MW, is the biggest plant in the world as of March 2020.

The only tower type solar thermal power plant (2.5 MW) in India is located in Bikaner district.

In March 2019, the lowest tariff in India was ₹2.48/kWh for installing the 750 MW solar power plants in the state.{{Cite web|last=Kabeer|first=Nitin|date=1 March 2019|title=Lowest Quoted Tariff Dips to ₹2.48/kWh in SECI's 750 MW Solar Auction for Rajasthan|url=https://mercomindia.com/solar-auction-results-750-mw-rajasthan/|access-date=20 June 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}}

Rajasthan became the first state with 10GW of solar power capacity. It is targeting a capacity of 30 GW by financial year 2024-2025 and 75 GW by 2030.

The installed capacity of solar plants in Mizoram as on 31 March 2023 is 23 MW.{{cite web |title=Mizoram Welcomes Its First Solar Park With 20 MW Capacity |url=https://www.saurenergy.com/solar-energy-news/mizoram-welcomes-its-first-solar-park-with-20-mw-capacity |website=saurenergy.com |access-date=5 May 2023}} Vankal Solar Park is the largest solar park in Mizoram.{{cite web |title=Mizoram enters India's solar map, becomes first in Northeast to house largest solar park |url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/mizoram/story/mizoram-enters-indias-solar-map-becomes-first-in-northeast-to-house-largest-solar-park-549340-2023-04-27 |website=indiatodayne |date=27 April 2023 |access-date=5 May 2023}}

Tamil Nadu had the 5th highest operating solar-power capacity in India in May 2018. The total operating capacity in Tamil Nadu was 1.8 GW. On 1 July 2017, the solar power tariff in Tamil Nadu has hit an all-time low of ₹3.47 per unit when bidding for 1500 MW capacity was held.{{Cite web|last=B.|first=Sivakumar|date=1 July 2017|title=Solar power tariff plunges to record low in Tamil Nadu|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/solar-power-tariff-plunges-to-record-low-in-tamil-nadu/articleshow/59397492.cms|access-date=20 June 2021|website=The Times of India|language=en}}{{cite web|last=Chandrasekaran|first=Kaavya|date=3 July 2017|title=NLC biggest winner in 1,500 Megawatt Tamil Nadu solar auction|url=http://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/nlc-biggest-winner-in-1500-megawatt-tamil-nadu-solar-auction/59417298|access-date=3 July 2017|website=ETEnergyworld.com}}

The 648-MW Kamuthi Solar Power Project is the biggest operating project in the state. On 1 January 2018, NLC India Limited (NLCIL) commissioned a new 130 MW solar power project in Neyveli.{{Cite news|date=2 January 2018|title=130-MW solar power plant commissioned at Nevyeli|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/130-mw-solar-power-plant-commissioned-at-nevyeli/article22348029.ece|access-date=20 June 2021|issn=0971-751X}}

As of 2021, total installed capacity was at 4.3 GW, with plans for capacity to double by 2022.{{Cite web|last=Ranjan|first=Rakesh|date=2 March 2021|title=Tamil Nadu Issues New Tariff Order, Plans to Double Its Solar Capacity by 2022|url=https://mercomindia.com/tamil-nadu-order-double-solar-capacity/|access-date=20 June 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}}

Telangana ranks sixth when it comes to solar energy generation capacity in India. The state has a solar power generation capacity of 3,953 MW and plans to achieve a capacity of 5,000 MW by 2022. In 2019, NTPC Ramagundam had placed work order on Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) to install 100 MW floating solar PV plant on its water supply reservoir.

In July 2022, NTPC's 100 MW floating solar photovoltaic (PV) project becomes fully operational in Telangana and becomes India's largest floating solar plant equipped with cutting-edge technology and environmentally friendly features.{{Cite news |date=1 July 2022 |title=100 MW NTPC floating solar plant at Ramagundam fully operational |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/100-mw-ntpc-floating-solar-plant-at-ramagundam-fully-operational/article65589829.ece |access-date=5 July 2022 |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web |last=Pulloor |first=Narender |date=2 July 2022 |title=India's largest floating solar plant commissioned at NTPC Ramagundam |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/020722/indias-largest-floating-solar-plant-commissioned-at-ntpc-ramagundam.html |access-date=5 July 2022 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en}}

{{Bar graph

| title = Annual solar power generation{{cite news|title=Renewable power generation|url=https://www.renewablesindia.in/|access-date=22 April 2021|archive-date=21 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421153814/https://renewablesindia.in/}}

| float = right

| bar_width = 12

| width_units = em

| data_max = 120

| label_type = Year

| data_type = Solar power generation (TWh)

| label1 = 2013–14

| data1 = 3.36

| label2 = 2014–15

| data2 = 4.60

| label3 = 2015–16

| data3 = 7.45

| label4 = 2016–17

| data4 = 12.09

| label5 = 2017–18

| data5 = 25.87

| label6 = 2018–19

| data6 = 39.27

| label7 = 2019–20

| data7 = 50.13

| label8 = 2020–21

| data8 = 60.40

| label9 = 2021–22

| data9 = 73.48

| label10 = 2022–23

| data10 = 102.01

|label11 = 2023-24

|data11 = 115.97

}}

Including both ground and roof-mounted plants, the country's installed solar power capacity was 81.81 GW_AC as of 31 March 2024.{{cite news |title=Physical Progress (Achievements)|publisher=Ministry of New & Renewable Energy|url=https://mnre.gov.in/the-ministry/physical-progress|access-date=18 March 2023}} Solar electricity generation from April 2023 to March 2024 increased to 115.97 terawatt-hour (TWh) from 102.01 TWh in the same period a year ago. Saving 50 million tons of coal. All time maximum solar power generation was 60,662 MW as of 26 January 2025.{{cite web|title=Daily Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) Generation Report, Grid India|url=https://report.grid-india.in/vre_report.php|access-date=26 January 2025}}

File:Solar-Panels-HUDA-station.jpg, Gurgaon]]

The installed capacity is generally given in DC capacity at standard operating conditions.{{cite web|url=https://www.alternative-energy-tutorials.com/photovoltaics/standard-test-conditions.html |title=Standard Test Conditions of a Photovoltaic Module |access-date=1 March 2022}} The actual AC power peak output at high voltage from a solar plant is between 65 and 75% of the rated DC capacity, after accounting for temperature coefficient, derating of solar cells capacity with time, losses in the total system, elevation of the plant, location of the plant, actual solar irradiance, etc.{{cite web |title=Snapshot of Global PV Markets 2022 |url=https://iea-pvps.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IEA_PVPS_Snapshot_2022-vF.pdf |publisher=International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme |access-date=6 September 2022}} The AC peak power is also generally limited by the selected inverter's capacity for economic reasons.

As of September 2022, the rooftop solar power generation capacity is 8.3 GW.{{cite web|url=https://mercomindia.com/india-adds-1-2-gw-rooftop-solar-9m-2022/|title=India Adds Over 1.2 GW of Rooftop Solar in 9M 2022 |access-date=1 December 2022}} Rooftop solar can be divided into residential solar, commercial and industrial solar roofs as well as a range of installations including agricultural buildings, community and cultural centers. 70 per cent of rooftop solar in 2018 was in the industrial and commercial sectors, with just 20 per cent as residential rooftop solar. Rooftop solar as a proportion of total solar installations is much less than is typical in other leading solar countries but was forecast to grow to 40 GW by 2022 under national targets. A rough calculation would imply that India had around just 430 MW of residential rooftop solar, whilst the UK with around half the overall solar capacity of India had over 2,500 MW of residential solar in 2018. The smallest segment was off-grid solar at 1467 MW which could help play a role in reaching villages and dwellings without access to the national grid.

The open-access solar installation capacity reached 16.3 GW capacity as of June 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.mercomindia.com/indias-solar-open-access-in-1h-2024|title=India's solar open access capacity jumps 153% in 1H 2024|access-date=6 September 2024}}

The installed capacity of commercial concentrated solar power plants (non-storage type) in India is 227.5 MW with 50 MW in Andhra Pradesh and 177.5 MW in Rajasthan.{{cite web |url=http://www.energystorageexchange.org/projects/669 |title=DOE Energy storage database |access-date=21 August 2017}} The existing solar thermal power plants (non-storage type) in India, which are generating costly intermittent power on a daily basis, can be converted into storage type solar thermal plants to generate 3 to 4 times more base load power at cheaper cost and not depend on government subsidies.{{cite web |url=https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/is-csp-viable-without-storage#gs.9UN2YLg|title=Concentrating Solar Power Isn't Viable Without Storage, Say Experts |access-date= 29 August 2017|date=November 2016 }} Concentrated solar power plants with thermal storage are also emerging as cheaper (US 5¢/kWh) and cleaner Load following power plants than fossil fuel power plants.{{cite web |url=https://www.solarpaces.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Blue-Book-of-Chinas-Concentrating-Solar-Power-Industry-2023.pdf |title=Blue Book of China's Concentrating Solar Power Industry 2023|access-date=6 March 2024}} In March 2024, SECI announced that a RfQ for 500 MW would be issued in the year 2024.{{cite web |url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/seci-to-issue-tender-for-500-mw-concentrated-solar-thermal-power-project/108189940?utm_source=most_read&utm_medium=sectionListing|title=SECI to issue tender for 500-MW concentrated solar-thermal power project|date=4 March 2024 |access-date= 7 March 2024 }}

Solar power, generated mainly during the daytime in the non-monsoon period, complements wind which generate power during the monsoon months in India.{{Cite web|last=Prateek|first=Saumy|date=27 May 2019|title=Adani Quotes Lowest Tariff of ₹2.69/kWh in SECI's 1.2 GW Solar-Wind Hybrid Auction|url=https://mercomindia.com/adani-lowest-tariff-seci-hybrid-auction/|access-date=26 June 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}}{{cite web|last=Chandrasekaran|first=Kaavya|date=6 December 2018|title=SB Energy and Adani Green win 840 MW at hybrid auction|url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/sb-energy-and-adani-green-win-840-mw-at-hybrid-auction/66965471|access-date=26 June 2021|website=ETEnergyworld.com}} Solar panels can be located in the space between the towers of wind power plants.{{cite web|last=Singh|first=Sudheer|date=26 September 2017|title=Siemens Gamesa bags Wind-Solar hybrid energy project in Karnataka|url=http://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/siemens-gamesa-bags-wind-solar-hydrid-energy-project-in-karnataka/60841883|access-date=26 June 2021|website=ETEnergyworld.com}} It also complements hydroelectricity, generated primarily during India's monsoon months. Solar-power plants can be installed near existing hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity, using the existing power transmission infrastructure and storing the surplus secondary power generated by the solar PV plants.{{cite web|last=Chandrasekaran|first=Kaavya|date=28 November 2018|title=Shapoorji Pallonji bags country's first large-scale floating solar project|url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/shapoorji-pallonji-bags-countrys-first-large-scale-floating-solar-project/66837326|access-date=26 June 2021|website=ETEnergyworld.com}}{{cite web|last=Proctor|first=Darrell|date=1 September 2017|title=Integrated Solar-Hydro Project Takes Float|url=http://www.powermag.com/integrated-solar-hydro-project-takes-float/|access-date=26 June 2021|website=Power}} Floating solar plants on the reservoirs of pumped-storage hydroelectric plants are complementary to each other.{{cite web|last=Barnard|first=Michael|date=26 December 2019|title=Floating Solar On Pumped Hydro, Part 1: Evaporation Management Is A Bonus|url=https://cleantechnica.com/2019/12/26/floating-solar-on-pumped-hydro-part-1-evaporation-management-is-a-bonus/|access-date=26 June 2021|website=Clean Technica}} Solar PV plants clubbed with pumped-storage hydroelectric plants are also under construction to supply peaking power.{{cite web|last=Saurabh|date=1 February 2020|title=India Allocates 1.2 Gigawatts In World's Largest Renewable Energy Storage Tender|url=https://cleantechnica.com/2020/02/01/india-allocates-1-2-gigawatts-in-worlds-largest-renewable-energy-storage-tender/|access-date=26 June 2021|website=Clean Technica}}

During the daytime, the additional auxiliary power consumption of a solar thermal storage power plant is nearly 10% of its rated capacity for the process of extracting solar energy in the form of thermal energy.{{cite web|last=Holmes à Court|first=Simon|date=21 August 2017|title=Aurora: What you should know about Port Augusta's solar power-tower|url=http://reneweconomy.com.au/aurora-what-you-should-know-about-port-augustas-solar-power-tower-86715/|access-date=22 August 2017|website=Renew Economy}} This auxiliary power requirement can be made available from cheaper solar PV plant by envisaging hybrid solar plant with a mix of solar thermal and solar PV plants at a site. Also to optimise the cost of power, generation can be from the cheaper solar PV plant (33% generation) during the daylight whereas the rest of the time in a day is from the solar thermal storage plant (67% generation from solar power tower and parabolic trough types) for meeting 24 hours baseload power.{{cite web|last=Kraemer|first=Susan|date=25 August 2015|title=Cheap Baseload Solar At Copiapó Gets OK In Chile|url=https://cleantechnica.com/2015/08/25/cheap-baseload-solar-copiapo-gets-ok-chile-exclusive-info/|access-date=1 September 2017|website=Clean Technica}} When solar thermal storage plant is forced to idle due to lack of sunlight locally during cloudy days in monsoon season, it is also possible to consume (similar to a lesser efficient, huge capacity and low cost battery storage system) the cheap excess grid power when the grid frequency is above 50 hz for heating the hot molten salt to higher temperature for converting stored thermal energy in to electricity during the peak demand hours when the electricity sale price is profitable.{{Cite news|date=5 June 2019|title=Controllable solar power – competitively priced for the first time in North Africa|work=German Aerospace Center|url=https://www.dlr.de/content/en/articles/news/2019/02/20190605_controllable-solar-power.html|access-date=7 June 2019}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2017/apr/06/salt-silicon-or-graphite-energy-storage-goes-beyond-lithium-ion-batteries|title=Salt, silicon or graphite: energy storage goes beyond lithium ion batteries |access-date= 1 September 2017|newspaper=The Guardian |date=5 April 2017 |last1=Lewis |first1=Dyani}}{{cite web|date=1 August 2016|title=Commercializing Standalone Thermal Energy Storage|url=https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/storage/commercializing-standalone-thermal-energy-storage/#gref|access-date=1 September 2017|website=Renewable Energy World}}

File:India One Solar Thermal Power Plant - India - Brahma Kumaris 08.jpg{{anchor|Solar heating}}{{See also|Solar thermal energy}}

Generating hot water or air or steam using concentrated solar reflectors, is increasing rapidly. Presently concentrated solar thermal installation base for heating applications is about 20 MW_th in India and expected to grow rapidly.{{Cite web|last=Ramesh|first=M.|date=12 March 2018|title=The sleeping giant is waking up|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/specials/clean-tech/the-sleeping-giant-is-waking-up/article22116728.ece1|access-date=18 July 2021|website=The Hindu @businessline|language=en}}{{cite web|last=Nair|first=Geeta|date=13 June 2018|title=Solar thermal industry seeks govt attention|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/solar-thermal-industry-seeks-govt-attention/1205269/|access-date=14 June 2018|website=The Financial Express}} {{Citation needed span|text=Cogeneration of steam and power round the clock is also feasible with concentrated solar power CHP plants with thermal storage capacity.|date=July 2021}}

Bengaluru has the largest deployment of roof-top solar water heaters in India, generating an energy equivalent of 200 MW.{{cite web|last=Pantulu|first=C Chitti|date=28 November 2009|title=Solar Water Heater|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_live-life-off-the-grid-or-tap-the-sunshine-in-your-backyard_1317492|access-date=27 November 2010|work=Daily News and Analysis}} It is India's first city to provide a rebate of {{INRconvert|50}} on monthly electricity bills for residents using roof-top thermal systems,{{Cite news|date=26 November 2009|title=Solar Water Heater Rebate|newspaper=The Hindu|url=http://hindu.com/2009/11/26/stories/2009112655090600.htm|access-date=25 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091130163243/http://www.hindu.com/2009/11/26/stories/2009112655090600.htm|archive-date=30 November 2009}} which are now mandatory in all new structures. Pune has also made solar water heaters mandatory in new buildings.{{cite news|author=Das|first=Dipannita|date=29 November 2009|title=More homes opt for solar energy|work=The Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/More-homes-opt-for-solar-energy/articleshow/5280270.cms|access-date=27 November 2010}} Photovoltaic thermal (PVT) panels produce simultaneously the required warm water/air along with electricity under sunlight.{{cite news|date=26 October 2018|title=PVT panels|work=ETEnergyworld.com|url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/long-way-to-go-for-india-to-fulfil-renewable-energy-targets-expert/66372085|access-date=26 October 2018}}

The lack of an electricity infrastructure is a hurdle to rural India's development. India's power grid is under-developed, with large groups of people still living off the grid.{{Cite web|last=Ramanunni|first=Jalaja|date=16 April 2017|title=DC solar products are lighting up rural India: What's driving the increased demand?|url=https://www.firstpost.com/living/dc-solar-products-are-lighting-up-rural-india-whats-driving-the-increased-demand-3386812.html|access-date=28 June 2021|website=Firstpost}} In 2004, about 80,000 of the nation's villages still did not have electricity, 18,000 out of them could not be electrified by extending the conventional grid due to inconvenience. A target of electrifying 5,000 such villages was set for the 2002–2007 Five-Year Plan. By 2004 more than 2,700 villages and hamlets were electrified, primarily with solar photovoltaic systems. The development of inexpensive solar technology is considered a potential alternative, providing an electricity infrastructure consisting of a network of local-grid clusters with distributed electricity generation.{{cite web |url=http://www.ecoworld.com/products/electronics/indias-solar-power.html |title=India's Solar Power: Greening India's Future Energy Demand |publisher=Ecoworld.com |date=15 May 2007 |access-date=28 February 2012 |first=Avilash |last=Roul |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420065906/http://www.ecoworld.com/products/electronics/indias-solar-power.html |archive-date=20 April 2012 }} It could bypass (or relieve) expensive, long-distance, centralised power-delivery systems, bringing inexpensive electricity to large groups of people.{{Cite news|last=Upadhyay|first=Anand|date=27 July 2020|title=Can India Provide Free Solar-Powered Irrigation To All Its Farmers?|work=Clean Technica|url=https://cleantechnica.com/2020/07/27/can-india-provide-free-solar-powered-irrigation-to-all-its-farmers/|access-date=28 July 2020}} In Rajasthan during Financial Year 2016–17, 91 villages have been electrified with a solar standalone system and over 6,200 households have received a 100 W solar home-lighting system.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}

India has sold or distributed about 12 lakh (1.2 million) solar home-lighting systems and 32 lakh (3.2 million) solar lanterns, and has been ranked the top Asian market for solar off-grid products.{{Cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/chinas-cheap-solar-panels-cause-dark-spots-in-indian-market/articleshow/45738182.cms |title=China's cheap solar panels cause dark spots in Indian market |access-date=3 January 2015|newspaper=The Economic Times |date=3 January 2015 |last1=Upadhyay |first1=Anindya }}{{cite web |url=http://www.oredaorissa.com/admin.htm |title=The Orissa Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) was constituted as a State Nodal agency in the 1984 |publisher=Oredaorissa.com |access-date=27 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100812073242/http://www.oredaorissa.com/admin.htm |archive-date=12 August 2010 }}

{{anchor|Solar lamps and lighting}}By 2012, a total of 4,600,000 solar lanterns and 861,654 solar-powered home lights were installed. Typically replacing kerosene lamps, they can be purchased for the cost of a few months' worth of kerosene with a small loan. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is offering a 30- to 40-percent subsidy of the cost of lanterns, home lights and small systems (up to 210 W_p).{{Cite web|date=27 August 2012|title=Government offer 30 per cent subsidy for solar lanterns and home lights|url=https://www.electronicsb2b.com/industry-buzz/government-offer-30-per-cent-subsidy-for-solar-lanterns-and-home-lights/|access-date=28 June 2021|website=ElectronicsB2B|language=en-US}} 2 crore (20 million) solar lamps are expected by 2022.[http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=83632 Action Plan to Increase Renewable Energy]

Solar photovoltaic water-pumping systems are used for irrigation and drinking water.{{cite web|date=23 October 2017|title=Indian Module Makers Beat Chinese Prices In 300 Megawatt Tender|url=https://cleantechnica.com/2017/10/23/indian-module-makers-beat-chinese-prices-300-megawatt-tender/|access-date=23 October 2017|website=Clean Technica}} Most pumps are fitted with a {{convert|200|–|3000|W|hp|abbr=on}} motor powered with a 1,800 W_p PV array which can deliver about {{convert|140000|L|USgal}} of water per day from a total hydraulic head of {{convert|10|m|ft|abbr=on}}. By 31 October 2019 a total of 181,521 solar photovoltaic water pumping systems were installed and total solar photovoltaic water pumping systems would reach 35 lakh (3.5 million) by the year 2022 under PM Kusum Scheme.{{cite web|title=Solar Irrigation in India|url=http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/file/Solar%20Irrigation%20in%20India.pdf|access-date=11 December 2021}}{{Cite web|last=Prasad|first=Nithin Thomas|date=6 January 2020|title=Over 181,000 Solar Water Pumps Installed in India|url=https://mercomindia.com/over-181000-solar-water-pumps-installed/|access-date=28 June 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=1 February 2020|agency=PTI|title=Budget 2020: Govt expands PM KUSUM scheme for solar pumps, targets to cover 20 lakh farmers|url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/budget-2020-govt-expands-pm-kusum-scheme-for-solar-pumps-targets-to-cover-20-lakh-farmers/73843355|access-date=28 June 2021|newspaper=Economic Times|language=en}} During hot sunny daytime when the water needs are more for watering the fields, solar pumps performance can be improved by maintaining pumped water flowing/sliding over the solar panels to keep them cooler and clean.{{cite web|date=15 June 2017|title=How hot do solar panels get? Effect of temperature on solar performance|url=https://news.energysage.com/solar-panel-temperature-overheating/|access-date=1 August 2018|website=Energy Sage}} Agro photovoltaics is the electricity generation without losing agriculture production by using the same land.{{cite web|title=Agrivoltaics in India: Fertile Ground?|url=http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/file/Agrivoltaics%20in%20India.pdf|access-date=11 December 2021}}{{cite web|date=31 May 2020|title=Driving synergy in energy and agriculture through Agro-Photovoltaics|url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/opinion-driving-synergy-in-energy-and-agriculture-through-agro-photovoltaics/76113875|access-date=28 June 2021|website=ETEnergyworld.com}} Solar driers are used to dry harvests for storage.{{cite journal|title=Solar chilli drier |date=1 September 2005 }} Low cost solar powered bicycles are also available to ply between fields and village for agricultural activity, etc.{{Cite web|date=26 December 2017|title=Meet this engineering student from Pune who has built a solar powered bicycle|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/engineering-student-from-pune-solar-powered-bicycle-1116395-2017-12-26|access-date=28 June 2021|website=India Today}}{{Cite web|date=9 February 2021|title=IIT-K scientists design mobile pesticide sprayer that runs on solar energy|url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/agriculture/iit-k-scientists-design-mobile-pesticide-sprayer-that-runs-on-solar-energy-75457|access-date=28 June 2021|website=Down to Earth|language=en}} On site/field, fertiliser is produced from air by solar power with no carbon emissions.{{cite web|title=Pulling fertilizer out of thin air with solar power|date=18 January 2022 |url=https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2022/01/18/pulling-fertilizer-out-of-thin-air-with-solar-power/|access-date=19 January 2022}}

By 2026, over 3 million farmers in India are projected to adopt solar-powered irrigation pumps, which serve as a cost-effective alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based systems. However, the extensive use of these pumps has led to a severe depletion of groundwater, particularly in arid regions like Rajasthan, where water tables have drastically fallen to depths of 400 feet. This situation highlights the environmental impact of unchecked groundwater extraction in India.{{Cite web |title=How a Solar Revolution in Farming Is Depleting World's Groundwater |url=https://e360.yale.edu/features/solar-water-pumps-groundwater-crops |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=Yale E360 |language=en-US}}

In addition to solar energy, rainwater is a major renewable resource of any area. In India, large areas are being covered by solar PV panels every year. Solar panels can also be used for harvesting most of the rainwater falling on them. Drinking or breweries water quality, free from bacteria and suspended matter, can be generated by simple filtration and disinfection processes, as rainwater is very low in salinity.{{cite web|last=Dvorak|first=Paul|date=20 October 2017|title=Rain fed solar-powered water purification systems.|url=http://www.windpowerengineering.com/environmental/wind-solar-powered-offgridbox-useful-hurricane-passes/|access-date=21 October 2017|website=Wind Power Engineering and Development}}{{Cite web|last=Pham|first=Diane|date=29 November 2017|title=New rooftop solar hydropanels harvest drinking water and energy at the same time|url=https://inhabitat.com/new-rooftop-solar-hydropanels-harvest-drinking-water-and-energy-at-the-same-time/|access-date=28 June 2021|website=inhabitat.com|language=en-US}} Good quality water resources, closer to populated areas, are becoming a scarcity and increasingly costly for consumers. Exploitation of rainwater for value-added products like bottled drinking water makes solar PV power plants profitable even in high rainfall and cloudy areas by the increased income from drinking water generation.{{cite web|last=Hanley|first=Steve|date=4 December 2017|title=Inverted Umbrella Brings Clean Water & Clean Power To India|url=https://cleantechnica.com/2017/12/04/inverted-umbrella-brings-clean-water-clean-power-india/|access-date=5 December 2017|website=Clean Technica}}

File:4MW single axis horizontal tracker in Vellakoil, Tamil Nadu, India.jpg, Tamil Nadu]]

{{anchor|Solar refrigeration and air conditioning}} Residential electricity consumers who are paying higher slab rates more than {{INRConvert|5}} per unit, can form into local groups to install collectively rooftop off-grid solar power units (without much battery storage) and replace the costly power used from the grid with the solar power as and when produced.{{Cite news |title= Indian Residential Rooftops: A Vast Trove of Solar Energy Potential |url=http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/file/Indian%20Residential%20Rooftops.pdf |access-date=8 October 2022}} Hence power draw from the grid which is an assured power supply without much power cuts nowadays, serves as a cheaper backup source when grid power consumption is limited to lower slab rate by using solar power during the day time. The maximum power generation of solar panels during the sunny daytime is complementary with the enhanced residential electricity consumption during the hot/summer days due to the higher use of cooling appliances such as fans, refrigerators, air conditioners, desert coolers, water heaters, etc.{{Cite news |title= Using electric water heaters to store renewable energy could do the work of 2 million home batteries - and save us billions.|url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/using-electric-water-heaters-to-store-renewable-energy-could-do-the-work-of-2-million-home-batteries-and-save-us-billions/100758296 |access-date=5 June 2023|newspaper=The Economic Times }} It would discourage Discoms to extract higher electricity charges selectively from its consumers.{{Cite news |title= Rs 3 per KWh – lowest tariff for third-party rooftop solar power installations |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/chandigarh-himachal-uttarakhand-to-get-cheapest-power-gujarat-to-costliest/articleshow/54926741.cms |access-date=19 October 2016|newspaper=The Economic Times |date=19 October 2016 |last1=Sengupta |first1=Debjoy }} There is no need of any permission from Discoms similar to DG power sets installation. Cheaper discarded batteries of electric vehicle can also be used economically to store the excess solar power generated in the daylight.{{cite web|last=Zipp|first=Kathie|date=20 February 2017|title=Giving electric vehicle batteries a second life in solar projects|url=http://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2017/02/giving-electric-vehicle-batteries-second-life-solar-projects/|access-date=28 February 2017|website=Solar Power World}}{{cite web|last=Rapier|first=Robert|date=17 October 2019|title=The Death Of The World's Most Popular Battery|url=https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/The-Death-Of-The-Worlds-Most-Popular-Battery.html|access-date=28 October 2019|website=OilPrice.com}}

Maximum solar-electricity generation during the hot hours of the day can be used for meeting residential air-conditioning requirements regardless of other load requirements, such as refrigeration, lighting, cooking, and water pumping. Power generation of photovoltaic modules can be increased by 17 to 20 per cent by equipping them with a tracking system.{{Cite web|last=Ramesh|first=M.|date=17 January 2018|title=Moving with the sun|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/specials/clean-tech/moving-with-the-sun/article8812097.ece|access-date=28 June 2021|website=The Hindu @businessline}}{{cite web|date=18 April 2018|title=Bifacial Plus Tracking Boosts Solar Energy Yield by 27 Percent|url=https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/bifacial-plus-tracking-boosts-solar-energy-yield-by-27-percent#gs.zVmaRi8|access-date=19 April 2018|website=Green Tech Media}}

In regions where peak electricity demand occurs in the evening, precooling of houses by increasing A/C settings in the afternoon as well as air conditioning systems combined with chilled water storage can increase the value of PV to the system and facilitate high shares of PV in total electricity generation.{{Cite journal|last1=Ershad|first1=Ahmad Murtaza|last2=Pietzcker|first2=Robert|last3=Ueckerdt|first3=Falko|last4=Luderer|first4=Gunnar|date=January 2020|title=Managing Power Demand from Air Conditioning Benefits Solar PV in India Scenarios for 2040|journal=Energies|language=en|volume=13|issue=9|page=2223|doi=10.3390/en13092223|doi-access=free }} Using both options to better match AC electricity demand with PV electricity supply could increase cost-optimal shares of PV in total electricity by up to 15 percentage points.

{{anchor|Power grid stabilisation}} Solar power PV plants are capable to provide fast frequency response in ramping up falling grid frequency.{{cite web| url=https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy20osti/73856.pdf| title=Inertia and the Power Grid: A Guide Without the Spin |publisher= NREL| access-date=25 March 2023}} Solar-power plants equipped with battery storage systems where net energy metering is used can feed stored electricity into the power grid when its frequency is below the rated parameter (50 Hz) and draw excess power from the grid when its frequency is above the rated parameter.{{cite web|date=14 July 2021|title=Next-generation solar power: unique design and energy storage for grid stability|url=https://solar.huawei.com/apac/news/apac/2021/7/Next-generation-solar-power-unique-design-and-energy-storage-for-grid-stability|access-date=18 July 2021|website=solar.huawei.com|publisher=pv magazine}}{{cite web|last=St. John|first=Jeff|date=20 April 2016|title=AES Energy Storage and Panasonic Target India for Grid Batteries|url=http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/aes-energy-storage-and-panasonic-target-india-for-grid-batteries|access-date=16 April 2016|website=Greentech Media}} Excursions above and below the rated grid frequency occur about 100 times daily.{{cite web |url= http://www.nldc.in/2013-03-12-10-34-42/frequency-profile |title= Frequency Profile, NLDC, GoI |access-date= 6 August 2015 }}{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web|last=Saurabh|date=25 February 2016|title=India Plans 750 MW Solar Power Park With 100 MW Storage Capacity|url=http://cleantechnica.com/2016/02/25/india-plans-750-mw-solar-power-park-100-mw-storage-capacity/|access-date=1 March 2016|website=Clean Technica}} The solar-plant owner would receive nearly double the price for electricity sent into the grid compared to that consumed from the grid if a frequency-based tariff is offered to rooftop solar plants or plants dedicated to a distribution substation.{{cite web|title=Real Time DSM tariff|url=http://indiapowertrading.info/real-time-power-grid-frequency/|url-access=registration|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121083416/http://indiapowertrading.info:80/real-time-power-grid-frequency/|archive-date=21 January 2020|access-date=6 August 2015|website=indiapowertrading.info}}{{cite web|date=6 January 2014|title=Deviation Settlement Mechanism and related matters, CERC, GoI|url=http://cercind.gov.in/2014/regulation/noti132.pdf|access-date=6 August 2015|website=Central Electricity Regulatory Commission}} A power-purchase agreement (PPA) is not needed for solar plants with a battery storage systems to serve ancillary-service operations and transmit generated electricity for captive consumption using an open-access facility.{{cite news |agency=PTI|date=20 December 2017|title=Rays Future Energy executes 60 MW of capacity under open access|url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/rays-future-energy-executes-60-mw-of-capacity-under-open-access/62179165|access-date=20 December 2017|newspaper=Economic Times}}{{cite web|last=Lambert|first=Fred|date=28 June 2017|title=Audi claims to be buying batteries at ~$114/kWh for its upcoming electric cars, says CTO|url=https://electrek.co/2017/06/28/audi-electric-car-battery-cost/|access-date=18 July 2021|website=electrek.co}} Battery storage is popular in India, with more than 1 crore (10 million) households using battery backup during load shedding.{{cite web|date=6 April 2016|title=Global Solar Storage Market: A Review Of 2015|url=http://www.solarquarter.com/index.php/technology/504-global-solar-storage-market-a-review-of-2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416153918/http://solarquarter.com/index.php/technology/504-global-solar-storage-market-a-review-of-2015|archive-date=16 April 2016|url-status=live|website=Solar Quarter}} Battery storage systems are also used to improve the power factor.{{cite web|title=Storing The Sun's Energy Just Got A Whole Lot Cheaper|website=ThinkProgress |url=http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/18/3778623/new-economics-solar-plus-battery-storage/|url-access=limited|access-date=23 May 2016}} Solar PV or wind paired with four-hour battery storage systems is already cost competitive, without subsidy and power purchase agreement by selling peak power in Indian Energy Exchange, as a source of dispatchable generation compared with new coal and new gas plants in India".{{cite web|last=Moore|first=Peter|date=28 June 2019|title=Los Angeles seeks record sub-two cent solar power price|url=https://www.focustechnica.com/los-angeles-seeks-record-sub-two-cent-solar-power-price/|access-date=29 June 2019|website=FocusTechnica|publisher=pv magazine USA}}{{cite web|date=19 November 2018|title=Solar and wind now the cheapest power source says Bloomberg NEF|url=https://www.powerengineeringint.com/renewables/solar/solar-and-wind-now-the-cheapest-power-source-says-bloombergnef/|access-date=19 November 2018|website=Power Engineering International (PEi)}} Battery energy storage system cost have come down drastically in India for a mega storage capacity of 500 MW with four hours daily power supply (two round trip cycles per day) at full capacity.{{Cite web|title=JSW Renew Energy Wins SECI Tender for 1 GWh Battery Energy Storage Systems|url=https://mercomindia.com/jsw-renew-energy-wins-seci-tender-1gwh-bess/|access-date=27 August 2022}}{{Cite web|title=JSW emerges lowest bidder for pilot battery storage mega tender |url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/power/jsw-emerges-lowest-bidder-for-pilot-battery-storage-mega-tender/93806291|access-date=27 August 2022}} Battery pack prices have fallen below US$ 100 per kWh in early 2025 for intraday storage applications.{{cite news|url=https://www.iea.org/commentaries/the-battery-industry-has-entered-a-new-phase|title= The battery industry has entered a new phase|access-date= 6 March 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.energytrend.com/battery-price.html|title= Lithium Battery prices|access-date= 6 March 2025}}

India is experiencing morning peak power demand for nearly 6 months from November to April and the solar power generation from 6 am to 10 am is not adequate to meet morning peak demand as its availability peaks at midday time. However solar power panels can be oriented/fixed towards the south-eastern direction (nearly 10° towards the east from the south direction) to capture more sunlight for enhanced solar power generation during peak hours.{{Cite web|title=Should your PV systems face west with California's Net Billing Tariff (NEM 3.0) rules? |date=18 April 2023 |url=https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2023/04/should-your-pv-systems-face-west-with-californias-net-billing-tariff-nem-3-0-rules/|access-date=15 May 2023 }} Higher solar tariffs during morning hours enable the solar power plants to cater the maximum peak demand of the national grid reducing the load on peaking hydropower or load-following power plants. Combination of solar panels in different orientations on both sides of North-South line generates power for longer hours daily and undesirable peak output is dampened at the midday.{{Cite web|title=The effect of orientation on solar output |date=25 August 2016 |url=https://solarcalculator.com.au/solar-panel-orientation/|access-date=11 December 2021 }}

Battery storage is also used economically to reduce daily/monthly peak power demand for minimising the monthly demand charges from the utility to the commercial and industrial establishments.{{cite web|last=Weaver|first=John Fitzgerald|date=30 June 2017|title=Energy storage already cost-competitive in commercial sector|url=https://electrek.co/2017/06/30/egeb-2/|access-date=30 June 2017|website=electrek.co}} Using batteries to shift PV electricity from times with very high generation (noon) to times with low generation (evening, night, morning) can increase the cost-optimal share of PV in the future Indian power system substantially, from 40 to 50% without batteries to 60–90% with batteries.{{cite journal |last1=Ershad |first1=Ahmad Murtaza |last2=Ueckerdt |first2=Falko |last3=Pietzcker |first3=Robert C. |last4=Giannousakis |first4=Anastasis |last5=Luderer |first5=Gunnar |title=A further decline in battery storage costs can pave the way for a solar PV-dominated Indian power system |journal=Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition |date=August 2021 |volume=1 |pages=100006 |doi=10.1016/j.rset.2021.100006 |s2cid=239674354 |doi-access=free }}

{{See also|Energy policy of India#Solar energy}}

The land price is costly for acquisition in India.{{cite news|title=Maha: Govt plans to generate 7,000 MW solar power for farmers by 2026 |url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/power/maha-govt-plans-to-generate-7000-mw-solar-power-for-farmers-by-2026-says-msedcl-director/99859341|date= 29 April 2023|access-date=24 April 2023}} Dedication of land for the installation of solar arrays must compete with other needs.{{cite journal |last1=Marzouk |first1=Osama A. |title=Land-Use competitiveness of photovoltaic and concentrated solar power technologies near the Tropic of Cancer |journal=Solar Energy |date=September 2022 |volume=243 |pages=103–119 |doi=10.1016/j.solener.2022.07.051 |bibcode=2022SoEn..243..103M |doi-access=free }} The amount of land required for utility-scale solar power plants is about {{convert|1|km2|acre|abbr=on}} for every 40–60 MW generated. One alternative is to use the water-surface area on canals, lakes, reservoirs, farm ponds and the sea for large solar-power plants.{{cite web|last=Rathi|first=Sunil|date=31 October 2018|title=Floating solar energy transforming India into a greener nation|url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/energy-speak/floating-solar-energy-transforming-india-into-a-greener-nation/3312|access-date=31 October 2018|website=ETEnergyworld.com}}{{cite web|last=Zipp|first=Kathie|date=15 February 2017|title=Solar floats in the sunshine state|url=http://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2017/02/solar-floats-sunshine-state/|access-date=1 March 2017|website=Solar Power World}}{{cite web|year=2009|title=Green Power Island: A blue battery for green energy|url=http://www.gottliebpaludan.com/en/project/green-power-island|access-date=13 July 2015|website=Gottlieb Paludan Architects}} Due to better cooling of the solar panels and the sun tracking system, the output of solar panels is enhanced substantially.{{cite web|title=BOOST Consortium Deploys Offshore Solar Demonstrator in Spain |url=https://www.oedigital.com/news/510523-boost-consortium-deploys-offshore-solar-demonstrator-in-spain|date= 3 January 2024|access-date=27 February 2024}}{{Cite web|last=Boffey|first=Daniel|date=21 April 2019|title=Dutch engineers build world's biggest sun-seeking solar farm|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/21/dutch-engineers-build-worlds-biggest-sun-seeking-solar-farm|access-date=23 June 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en}} These water bodies can also provide water to clean the solar panels.{{cite web|date=23 February 2017|title=NTPC installs Robotic Dry Cleaning System for Solar PV Plant at NTPC Dadri|url=https://energyinfrapost.com/ntpc-installs-robotic-dry-cleaning-system-solar-pv-plant-ntpc-dadri/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630081057/https://energyinfrapost.com/ntpc-installs-robotic-dry-cleaning-system-solar-pv-plant-ntpc-dadri/|archive-date=30 June 2018|access-date=25 February 2017|website=Energy Infra Post}} Conventional floating solar plants can only be installed on the dead storage area of a reservoir where water is always available. Floating solar plants installation cost has reduced steeply by 2018.{{cite web|last=Koundal|first=Aarushi|date=19 February 2020|title=India achieves lowest cost of floating solar power globally|url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/india-achieves-lowest-cost-of-floating-solar-power-globally/74212955|access-date=23 June 2021|website=ETEnergyworld.com}} Solar panels can also be installed economically above the maximum water level on the shallow sea and reservoirs (shallow live storage) area supported on piles.{{cite web|year=2024|title=Is China ready to put solar panels out at sea?|url=https://dialogue.earth/en/energy/is-china-ready-to-put-solar-panels-out-at-sea/|access-date=25 April 2024}} In January 2019, Indian Railways announced the plan to install 4 GW capacity along its tracks.{{cite web|author=Anupam Chatterjee |author2=Saurabh Kumar |date=19 January 2019|title=Indian Railways to invest Rs 18,000 crore on solar power units along tracks|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/indian-railways-unique-plan-with-rs-18000-crore-business-potential-4-gw-solar-power-units-to-come-up-along-tracks/1448374/|access-date=19 January 2019|website=The Financial Express}}{{cite web|date=9 July 2020|title=BHEL commissions world's first solar PV plant for rail traction system|url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/bhel-commissions-worlds-first-solar-pv-plant-for-rail-traction-system/76871199|access-date=9 July 2020|website=ETEnergyworld.com}} Highways and railways may also avoid the cost of land nearer to load centers, minimizing transmission-line costs by having solar plants about 10 meters above the roads or rail tracks.{{Cite web |author=Baba Tamim |date=June 26, 2024|title=World's first solar panel 'carpet' on railway tracks may generate electricity |website=Interesting Engineering |url=https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/solar-panel-carpet-on-railway-tracks|access-date=19 March 2023}}{{Cite magazine|last=Peake|first=Eleanor|date=6 December 2017|title=Some of the UK's trains could be running on solar power by 2020|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/in-the-future-trains-will-be-solar-powered|magazine=Wired UK|access-date=6 December 2017}} Solar power generated by road areas may also be used for in-motion charging of electric vehicles, reducing fuel costs.{{cite news|url= http://ias.ieee.org/images/files/Webinars/IAS-webinar---Zeljko-Pantic---June-2016.pdf|title= Review of Recent Advances in Dynamic and Omnidirectional Wireless Power Transfer|access-date= 7 July 2016|archive-date= 19 September 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160919065926/http://ias.ieee.org/images/files/Webinars/IAS-webinar---Zeljko-Pantic---June-2016.pdf}} Highways would avoid damage from rain and summer heat, increasing comfort for commuters.{{cite web|last=Chadha|first=Mridul|date=2 April 2013|title=Indian Scientists Propose Solar Roofs For Roads|url=http://cleantechnica.com/2013/04/02/indian-scientists-propose-solar-roofs-for-roads/|access-date=17 November 2015|website=Clean Technica}}{{cite web|last=Young|first=Matthew|date=16 November 2015|title=World's First Solar Road Exceeds Expectations|url=http://www.enn.com/business/article/49158|access-date=17 November 2015}}{{cite web|last=Jain|first=Lalit|date=1 March 2016|title=Greenhouse solar can plug the massive need for land to promote renewable energy|url=http://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/greenhouse-solar-can-plug-the-massive-need-for-land-to-promote-renewable-energy/51152523|access-date=27 February 2016|website=ETEnergyworld.com}} By using high efficiency monocrystalline silicon modules in an earth mount solar array, the cost of module supporting structures and the land requirement are reduced drastically without reduction in electricity generation.{{cite web|title=4 California solar projects built flat on the ground|date=12 July 2022 |url=https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2022/07/4-california-solar-projects-built-flat-on-the-ground/|access-date=7 August 2022}} Earth mounted solar arrays can withstand category 4 hurricane and designed for water submergence condition.{{cite web|title=Rackless, earth-mounted solar provider earns funding|date=March 2022 |url=https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2022/03/01/rackless-earth-mounted-solar-provider-earns-funding/|access-date=7 August 2022}}{{cite web|title=This Texas solar farm's panels will sit flat on the ground|url=https://electrek.co/2022/12/12/texas-solar-farm-flat-on-the-ground/|access-date=7 January 2023}} To reduce land footprint drastically where land cost is high, vertical installation of solar panels, in north-south orientation, forming a solar tower located on either side of roads, canals and rail tracks is also feasible.{{cite web|title=Solar tower of power shows benefits of vertical installations|date=2 March 2023 |url=https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2023/03/02/solar-tower-pilot-project-shows-benefits-of-vertical-installations/|access-date=5 March 2023}} Bifacial solar panels in vertical configuration on rooftop is also feasible.{{cite web|title=World's Largest Vertical Rooftop PV System Deployed on Norway's National Football Stadium|date=2 August 2024 |url=https://www.world-energy.org/article/43831.html|access-date=2 August 2024}} The installed length of transmission lines of 66 kV and above is {{convert|649833|km|mi|abbr=on}} with nearly 20 lakh (2 million) truss type transmission towers.{{cite web |url=https://cea.nic.in/wp-content/uploads/pdm/2020/12/growth_2020.pdf |title=Growth of Electricity Sector in India from 1947–2020 |publisher=Central Electricity Authority |date=October 2020 |access-date=14 March 2023}} These transmission towers have nearly 50 GW solar PV potential (without any extra land footprint) @ 25 kW/tower if panels are installed on the south-facing facade at a safe distance from the conductors.{{cite journal |author=Dioari Ulrich Combari |author2=Emmanuel Wendsongré Ramde |author3=Idrissa Sourabie |author4=Martial Zoungrana |author5=Issa Zerbo |author6=Dieudonné Joseph Bathiebo |title=Performance Investigation of a Silicon Photovoltaic Module under the Influence of a Magnetic Field |journal=Advances in Condensed Matter Physics |volume=2018 |article-number=6096901 |doi=10.1155/2018/6096901 |doi-access=free |date=November 2018|pages=1–8 }} Using micro-inverters for each solar panel would minimise the effect of shading that is caused for some duration by the transmission tower.{{cite web |url=https://www.coolorcosy.com.au/which-solar-panels-work-best-in-shade/ |title=Which Solar Panels Work Best In Shade? |date=15 April 2021 |access-date=5 April 2023}} Without the need to level the uneven land or maintaining the natural grading of a site, single axis trackers facilitate solar panels installation economically at optimum power generation.{{cite web |url=https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2023/01/single-axis-trackers-upgrade-to-handle-uneven-land-sites/ |title=Single-axis trackers upgrade to handle uneven land sites |date=9 January 2023 |access-date=11 April 2024}}

The architecture best suited to most of India would be a set of rooftop power-generation systems connected

via a local grid.{{cite web|last=Deaton|first=Jeremy|date=27 May 2017|title=In Brooklyn, you can now sell solar power to your neighbors|url=http://www.salon.com/2017/05/27/in-brooklyn-you-can-now-sell-solar-power-to-your-neighbors_partner/|access-date=27 May 2017|website=Salon}} Not only the rooftop area but also outer surface area of tall buildings can be used for solar PV power generation by installing PV modules in a vertical position in place of glass panels to cover facade area.{{cite web|last=Upadhyay|first=Anand|date=11 July 2020|title=India's Largest Building Integrated Vertical Solar System & The Road Ahead|url=https://cleantechnica.com/2020/07/11/indias-largest-building-integrated-vertical-solar-system-the-road-ahead/|access-date=12 July 2020|website=Clean Technica}} Such an infrastructure, which does not have the economy of scale of mass, utility-scale solar-panel deployment, needs a lower deployment price to attract individuals and family-sized households.{{cite web|title=Power Cost Savings Cover EMIs for Rooftop Solar: Tata Power Executive |url=https://mercomindia.com/emi-rooftop-solar-savings-on-power-costs-tata-power/|access-date=16 December 2022}} The cost of high efficiency and compact mono PERC modules and battery storage systems have reduced to make rooftop solar PV more economical and feasible in a microgrid.{{Cite web|last=Prateek|first=Saumy|date=29 November 2018|title=Is the Indian Solar Market Ready to Make the Transition to Mono PERC Modules?|url=https://mercomindia.com/indian-solar-market-mono-perc/|access-date=20 June 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}} It is possible to generate more solar power during sunrise and sunset hours by using motionless trackers attachment to solar PV modules.{{cite web|title=Motionless tracker technology that can revolutionise solar industry |date=October 2023 |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/business-tech/motionless-tracker-technology-that-can-revolutionise-solar-industry/article67368771.ece|access-date=5 October 2023}}

It is more economical to have multi-purpose floating solar PV power plants compared to single-purpose floating solar plants.{{cite web |title=Kerala: Houseboats To Use Solar Power| date=25 February 2021 |url=https://thelogicalindian.com/environment/kerala-houseboats-to-use-solar-power-replace-dieselpetrol-generators-to-reduce-carbon-footprint-27050?infinitescroll=1|access-date=2 March 2022}} Three tier boat houses are constructed on pontoons with the top tier (inclined roof up to 35 degrees) fully covered by solar panels (1 MW/acre area), bottom area (below the pontoon) for cage fish culture and middle two tiers one each for poultry and mushroom/orchid cultivation. Pontoon can have a tilting arrangement (another 35 degrees) to have inclined floating by varying water content in the ballast tanks to track the sun's direction for optimum solar power generation. Water is oxygenated in a evaporative cooler and used in cage cultivation with the power generated by the solar panels. The cold air at wet-bulb temperature from the evaporative cooler is used for cooling the poultry and mushroom areas. These boathouses can move to safer water depths with the variation in the water level of the water body or for avoiding occasional high winds. The excess power generated during the daytime is stored in a battery system mounted on a separate pontoon which can be moved to shore for feeding power to the grid during nighttime.{{cite web |title=Japan's floating solar farm will store energy and drones will ship it back to shore |url=https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/japan-floating-solar-farm|access-date=16 December 2022}}{{cite web |title=Floating offshore solar power - Seavolt |url=https://www.designboom.com/technology/floating-offshore-solar-power-seavolt-generate-electricity-harshest-conditions-04-04-2023/|access-date=4 March 2023}} Multipurpose solar plants can be installed at deeper (10 meters and more) water areas, unlike single-purpose floating solar PV plants.{{cite web |title=Solar Powered Pontoon Boats Guide |url=https://pontoonopedia.com/solar-powered-pontoon-boat/|access-date=2 March 2022}} With multipurpose PV solar plants, the floating solar power potential of India enhances many times by using much of the inland water bodies area.{{cite web |title=Small City Sets Example For Floating Solar, Empowered By NREL Data Set|url=https://cleantechnica.com/2022/03/04/small-city-sets-example-for-floating-solar-empowered-by-nrel-data-set/|access-date=2 March 2022}} Water is sprinkled over the solar panels to keep them cool and clean to optimise the power output. Rainwater harvesting can also be achieved by storing the water in collapsible bladders which can float on water for generating bottled drinking water.

Greenpeace{{cite web |author=Press release – 13 April 2007 |url=http://www.greenpeace.org/india/press/releases/greenpeace-proposes-a-sustaina |title=Energy (R)evolution: A sustainable Energy Outlook for India |publisher=Greenpeace |date=13 April 2007 |access-date=27 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827175011/http://www.greenpeace.org/india/press/releases/greenpeace-proposes-a-sustaina |archive-date=27 August 2007 }}{{cite web |author=Press release – 9 April 2007 |url=http://www.greenpeace.org/india/press/releases/greenpeace-announces-comprehen |title=Greenpeace announces comprehensive energy strategy for India to tackle Climate Change without compromising economic development |publisher=Greenpeace |date=9 April 2007 |access-date=27 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827180627/http://www.greenpeace.org/india/press/releases/greenpeace-announces-comprehen |archive-date=27 August 2007 }} recommends that India adopt a policy of developing solar power as a dominant component of its renewable-energy mix since, being a densely-populated country{{cite web |url=http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view_detail.php?id=116 |title=NASA population density map |publisher=Visibleearth.nasa.gov |access-date=27 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608063347/http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view_detail.php?id=116 |archive-date=8 June 2011 }} in the tropical belt,{{cite web |url=http://www.meteonorm.com/media/maps_online/world_beam_8100_1.png |title=Energy-Atlas Solar radiation |access-date=27 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110410192128/http://www.meteonorm.com/media/maps_online/world_beam_8100_1.png |archive-date=10 April 2011 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.meteonorm.com/pages/en/downloads/maps.php |title=Regional and World Energy-Maps of Solar radiation |publisher=Meteonorm.com |access-date=27 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100508103955/http://www.meteonorm.com/pages/en/downloads/maps.php |archive-date=8 May 2010 }} the subcontinent has an ideal combination of high insolation and a large potential consumer base.{{cite web|url=http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/01/solar_leds_brig.php |title=Solar LEDs Brighten Rural India's Future |publisher=Treehugger.com |access-date=27 November 2010}}{{cite news|last=Dutt |first=Ram |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3623864.stm |title=Solar plan for Indian computers |work=BBC News |date=5 September 2004 |access-date=27 November 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/000954.html |title=Barefoot solar engineers |publisher=Worldchanging.com |date=22 February 1999 |access-date=27 November 2010}} In one scenario India could make renewable resources the backbone of its economy by 2030, curtailing carbon emissions without compromising its economic-growth potential. A study suggested that 100 GW of solar power could be generated through a mix of utility-scale and rooftop solar, with the realisable potential for rooftop solar between 57 and 76 GW by 2024.{{cite web |author=Bridge to India |url=http://www.bridgetoindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/BRIDGE-TO-INDIA_TATA_Beehives-or-elephants_2014_final_email-2.pdf |title=Beehives or elephants? How should India drive its solar transformation |publisher=Bridge to India |date=September 2014 |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=27 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141127070833/http://www.bridgetoindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/BRIDGE-TO-INDIA_TATA_Beehives-or-elephants_2014_final_email-2.pdf }}

It is considered prudent to encourage solar-plant installations up to a threshold (such as 7,000 MW) by offering incentives.{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/will-try-to-achieve-pledged-renewable-energy-targets-in-less-than-four-and-half-years-piyush-goyal/articleshow/49687054.cms |title=Will try to achieve pledged renewable energy targets in less than four and half years: Piyush Goyal|access-date=9 November 2015|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=6 November 2015}} Otherwise, substandard equipment with overrated nameplate capacity may tarnish the industry.{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/how-solar-energy-is-changing-the-power-sector-s-dynamics-115112400672_1.html|title=How solar energy is changing the power sector's dynamics|access-date=25 November 2015|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=24 November 2015|last1=Asthana|first1=Shishir}}{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/national-lab-policy-for-renewable-energy-soon/articleshow/53371213.cms|title=National lab policy for renewable energy soon|access-date=25 July 2016|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=25 July 2016|last1=Chandrasekaran|first1=Kaavya}} The power purchaser, transmission agency and financial institution should require capacity utilisation and long-term performance guarantees for the equipment backed by insurance coverage in the event that the original equipment manufacturer ceases to exist.{{Cite news|title=shadows of thermal power gloom loom over solar industry|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/shadows-of-thermal-power-gloom-loom-over-solar-industry/articleshow/49954913.cms |access-date=28 November 2015|newspaper=The Economic Times |date=28 November 2015 |last1=Prasad |first1=Rachita }}{{cite web|title=Solar Energy Isn't Always as Green as You Think|url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/solar-energy-isnt-always-as-green-as-you-think |access-date=5 November 2015|date=13 November 2014 }}{{cite web|title=Degradation and Failure Modes|url=http://www.pveducation.org/pvcdrom/modules/degradation-and-failure-modes |access-date=5 November 2015}} Alarmed by the low quality of equipment, India issued draft quality guide lines in May 2017 to be followed by the solar plant equipment suppliers conforming to Indian standards.{{cite web|title=India's booming solar sector has one major flaw: poor quality|date=2 August 2018 |url=https://qz.com/india/1345508/poor-quality-solar-panels-may-ruin-indias-renewable-energy-boom/ |access-date=2 August 2018}}{{cite web|title=Draft quality control guidelines.|url=http://mnre.gov.in/file-manager/UserFiles/Draft-Quality-Control-SPV-Systems_%20Devices_&_Components-goods-order.pdf |access-date=23 May 2017}}{{cite web|title=Chinese solar panels to face quality control barrier|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/chinese-solar-panels-to-face-quality-control-barrier-117052500050_1.html|access-date=23 May 2017}} Secondary market for purchase of used solar panels is also available to replace the damaged solar panels which are out of production.{{cite web |url=https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/01/remarketed-solar-panels-are-retaining-resale-value-energybin-report-finds/ |title=Remarketed solar panels are retaining resale value, EnergyBin report finds |date=29 January 2024 |access-date=3 March 2024}}

The Indian government announced an allocation of {{INRConvert|10|b}} for the National Solar Mission and a clean-energy fund for the 2010–11 fiscal year, an increase of {{INRConvert|3.8|b}} from the previous budget. The budget encouraged private solar companies by reducing the import duty on solar panels by five per cent. This is expected to reduce the cost of a rooftop solar-panel installation by 15 to 20 per cent.

The Indian government is giving subsidies{{Cite news |date=2022-07-20 |title=What is the solar rooftop subsidy scheme/yojana? |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/faqs/miscellaneous/what-is-the-solar-rooftop-subsidy-scheme/yojana/articleshow/93010587.cms |access-date=2023-05-12 |issn=0971-8257}} for installing rooftop solar panels in an effort to increase the adoption of solar power in the country. Rooftop solar panels have numerous benefits, including the ability to generate electricity directly from the source, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and lowering electricity bills for households and businesses. In addition, rooftop solar panels help to reduce carbon emissions, making them a key component in India's efforts to combat climate change. With the availability of government subsidies, more households and businesses can now afford to install rooftop solar panels, contributing to a more sustainable future for the country.

File:Price history of silicon PV cells since 1977.svgs since 1977. In 2023, solar cell prices reduced to 0.055 US$/watt. The great thing about solar power is that it is a technology and not a fuel. It is unlimited and the more it is deployed the cheaper it would be.{{cite web|title=Spot prices of solar modules and battery packs |url=http://energytrend.com |access-date=13 July 2023}} While the more limited fossil fuels are used, the more expensive they become.{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-20/solar-prices-nosedive-after-china-pullback-floods-global-market |title=Solar Prices Nosedive After China Pullback Floods Global Market |access-date=21 June 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Solar-Costs-Are-Hitting-Jaw-Dropping-Lows-In-Every-Region-of-the-World |title=Solar Costs Are Hitting Jaw-Dropping Lows in Every Region of the World |access-date=28 June 2017}}|337x337px]]

The average bid in reverse auctions in April 2017 is {{INRConvert|3.15}} per kWh, compared with {{INRConvert|12.16}} per kWh in 2010, which is around 73% drop over the time window.{{Cite web|last=Mondal|first=Debapriya|date=12 April 2017|title=Solar power tariff hits a new low at Rs 3.15 levelised rate|url=http://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/solar-power-tariff-hits-a-new-low-at-rs-3-15-levelised-rate/58139132|access-date=20 June 2021|website=ETEnergyworld|language=en}}{{cite news|date=24 March 2017|title=Solar tariffs in India have fallen by 73 percent since 2010|work=ET Energyworld.com|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/solar-tariffs-in-india-have-fallen-by-73-percent-since-2010/articleshow/57809228.cms|access-date=20 June 2021}}{{Cite web|last=Sharma|first=Shailaja|date=24 March 2017|title=Solar tariffs in India have fallen by 73% since 2010: Mercom Capital|url=https://www.livemint.com/Industry/xkdwxNscR9K6omngOwOaAN/Solar-tariffs-in-India-have-fallen-by-73-since-2010-Mercom.html|access-date=20 June 2021|website=mint|language=en}} The current prices of solar PV electricity is around 18% lower than the average price of electricity generated by coal-fired plants.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-40120770 |title=Five effects of a US pull-out from Paris climate deal |last=McGrath |first=Matt |publisher=BBC |date=1 June 2017 |access-date=1 June 2017 }} By the end of 2018, competitive reverse auctions, falling panel and component prices, the introduction of solar parks, lower borrowing costs and large power companies have contributed to the fall in prices.{{Cite web|last=Pratheeksha|date=8 January 2019|title=Updated – How Low Did It Go: 5 Lowest Solar Tariffs Quoted in 2018|url=https://mercomindia.com/lowest-solar-tariffs-quoted-2018/|access-date=20 June 2021|website=Mercom India}} The cost of solar PV power in India, China, Brazil and 55 other emerging markets fell to about one-third of its 2010 price, making solar the cheapest form of renewable energy and cheaper than power generated from fossil fuels such as coal and gas.{{cite web|last=Hincks|first=Joseph|date=16 December 2016|title=This Just Became the World's Cheapest Form of Electricity Out of Nowhere|url=http://fortune.com/2016/12/15/solar-electricity-energy-generation-cost-cheap/|access-date=5 February 2017|website=Fortune}}

India has the lowest capital cost per MW globally of installing solar power plants.{{Cite web|last=Singh|first=Sudheer|date=30 May 2019|title=India becomes lowest-cost producer of solar power|url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/india-becomes-lowest-cost-producer-of-solar-power/69565769|access-date=20 June 2021|website=ETEnergyworld.com|language=en}} However the global levelised cost of solar PV electricity fell to 1.04¢ US per kWh (₹0.77 per kWh) in April 2021, much cheaper than the lowest solar PV tariff in India.{{cite web |title=Saudi solar plant locks in new record low price for power: 1.04c/kWh|date=13 April 2021 |url=https://reneweconomy.com.au/saudi-solar-plant-locks-in-new-record-low-price-for-power-1-04c-kwh/ |access-date= 13 April 2021 }}{{cite web |title=India Unable to Compete With Record Low Solar Tariffs in Gulf Region|url=https://ieefa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/India-Unable-to-Compete-with-Record-Low-Solar-Tariffs_August-2020.pdf |access-date= 28 August 2020 }}{{cite web|title='Historic' result as Portugal claims record-low prices in 700MW solar auction|date=26 August 2020 |url=https://www.pv-tech.org/news/historic-result-as-portugal-claims-record-low-prices-in-700mw-solar-auction|access-date=27 August 2020}}{{cite web |title=Abu Dhabi announces world's lowest tariff for solar power |date=29 April 2020 |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1666846/business-economy |access-date= 29 April 2020 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.pv-tech.org/guest-blog/ultra-low-solar-bid-of-0.01997-kwh-in-the-us-not-quite-so-sunny |title=Ultra-low solar bid of $0.01997/kWh in the US – not quite so sunny |date=5 August 2019 |access-date=5 August 2019 }} The intermittent / non-dispatchable solar PV at the prevailing low tariffs clubbed with Pumped-heat electricity storage can offer cheapest dispatchable power round the clock on demand.

The Indian government has reduced the solar PV power purchase price from the maximum allowed {{INRConvert|4.43|2}} per KWh to {{INRConvert|4.00|2}} per KWh, reflecting the steep fall in cost of solar power-generation equipment.{{cite web |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/business/solar-power-tariff-dips-to-all-time-low-of-rs-4-per-unit-4363579/ |title=Solar power tariff dips to all-time low of Rs 4 per unit|access-date=10 November 2016|date=8 November 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://indianpowersector.com/2015/12/seci-lowers-the-solar-tariff-to-inr-4-43-per-unit-fixed-for-upcoming-biddings/ |title=SECI lowers the solar tariff to INR 4.43 per unit fixed for upcoming biddings |access-date=25 December 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/article/economy/cerc-capital-cost-move-suggests-solar-tariff-to-fall-further-in-fy17/183752/ |title=CERC capital cost move suggests solar tariff to fall further in FY17 |date=25 December 2015 |access-date=25 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225153324/http://www.financialexpress.com/article/economy/cerc-capital-cost-move-suggests-solar-tariff-to-fall-further-in-fy17/183752/ |archive-date=25 December 2015 }} The applicable tariff is offered after applying viability gap funding (VGF) or accelerated depreciation (AD) incentives.{{cite web |url=http://mnre.gov.in/file-manager/grid-solar/Scheme-2000MW-Grid-Connected-SPV-with-VGF-under-JNNSM.pdf |title=Grid Connected SPV with VGF under JNNSM |access-date=25 December 2015}}{{Cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/solar-auction-companies-seeking-lowest-state-support-win/articleshow/52138023.cms |title=Solar auction companies seeking lowest state support to win |access-date=10 May 2016|newspaper=The Economic Times |date=6 May 2016 |last1=Chandrasekaran |first1=Kaavya }} In January 2019, the time period for commissioning the solar power plants is reduced to 18 months for units located outside the solar parks and 15 months for units located inside the solar parks from the date of power purchase agreement.{{Cite news |url=https://mercomindia.com/amendment-bidding-guidelines-solar-pv/ |title=MNRE Amends Bidding Guidelines for Solar Projects; Reduces Commissioning Time Frame |access-date=11 January 2017}}

Solar PV generation cost fell to {{INRConvert|2.97|2}} per kWh for the 750 MW Rewa Ultra Mega Solar power project, India's lowest electricity-generation cost.{{Cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/solar-power-tariffs-fall-to-rs-2-97-per-unit/articleshow/57085143.cms |title=Solar tariffs fall to Rs. 2.97 per unit |access-date=11 February 2017|newspaper=The Economic Times |date=10 February 2017 |last1=Singh |first1=Sarita }}{{cite web |url=http://www.livemint.com/Industry/3xHqGD3VsLyixDdN0wpsZN/For-Rewa-project-were-not-interested-in-profits-Manu-Shri.html |title=For Rewa project, we're not interested in profits: Manu Srivastava |work=mint |access-date=14 February 2017|date=13 February 2017 |last1=Bhaskar |first1=Utpal }} In first quarter of calendar year 2020, large scale ground mounted solar power installations cost fell to ₹3.5 crore/MW by 12% in a year.{{cite web |url=https://mercomindia.com/average-large-scale-solar-system-cost-declined/ |title=Average Large-Scale Solar System Cost Declined by 12%, Rooftop by 9% YoY in Q1 2020|date=2 June 2020 |access-date=3 June 2020}} Solar panel prices are lower than those of mirrors by unit area.{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/solar-tariffs-crash-to-below-rs-3-in-madhya-pradesh-auctions/article9533738.ece |title=Solar tariffs crash to below Rs. 3 in Madhya Pradesh auctions |date=10 February 2017 |access-date=10 February 2017}}

In an auction of 250 MW capacity of the second phase in Bhadla solar park, South Africa's Phelan Energy Group and Avaada Power were awarded 50 MW and 100 MW of capacity respectively in May 2017 at {{INRConvert|2.62}} per kilowatt hour.{{cite web|title=Solar power tariffs fall to new low of Rs2.62 per unit |url=http://www.livemint.com/Industry/MKI7QvOhpRoBAtw3d4PM5K/South-African-firm-bid-takes-solar-power-tariffs-to-new-low.html|website=Mint|access-date=11 May 2017|date=10 May 2017}} The tariff is also lower than NTPC's average coal power tariff of {{INR}}3.20 per kilowatt hour. SBG Cleantech, a consortium of SoftBank Group, Airtel and Foxconn, was awarded the remaining 100 MW capacity at a rate of {{INRConvert|2.63}} per kWh.{{cite web|last1=Kumar|first1=V Rishi|title=Solar power tariff bid hits new low of Rs 2.62 per unit in Bhadla park in Rajasthan|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/solar-power-tariff-bid-hits-new-low-of-rs-262-per-unit-in-bhadla-park-in-rajasthan/article9691114.ece|website=Business Line|access-date=11 May 2017|language=en|date=10 May 2017}}{{cite web|title=Solar power tariff drops to all-time low of Rs 2.62 per unit|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/business/business-others/solar-power-tariff-drops-to-all-time-low-of-rs-2-62-per-unit-4648988/|website=The Indian Express|access-date=11 May 2017|date=10 May 2017}} Few days later in a second auction for another 500 MW at the same park, solar tariff has further fallen to {{INRConvert|2.44}} per kilowatt hour which are the lowest tariffs for any solar power project in India.{{Cite news|title=Solar power tariffs drops historic low at Rs2.44 per unit |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/solar-power-tariff-drops-to-historic-low-at-rs-2-44-per-unit/articleshow/58649942.cms|access-date=21 May 2017|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=13 May 2017|last1=Chandrasekaran|first1=Kaavya}} These tariffs are lower than traded prices for day time in non-monsoon period in IEX and also for meeting peak loads on a daily basis by using cheaper solar PV power in pumped-storage hydroelectricity stations indicating there is no need of any power purchase agreements and any incentives for the solar PV power plants in India.{{Cite web|last=Rajeshwari|first=Ankita|date=18 April 2018|title=Downing Commissions 20 MW of Open Access Solar Projects in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh|url=https://mercomindia.com/downing-commissions-20mw-solar-projects-india/|access-date=18 July 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Singh|first=Sarita C|date=18 January 2018|title=Renewable power companies compete with thermal plants in spot market|url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/renewable-power-companies-compete-with-thermal-plants-in-spot-market/62548353|access-date=18 July 2021|website=ETEnergyworld.com}}{{cite web|title=IEX Area prices|url=http://www.iexindia.com/marketdata/areaprice.aspx|access-date=3 April 2018|website=Indian Energy Exchange}} Solar PV power plant developers are forecasting that solar power tariff would drop to {{INRConvert|1.5}} /unit in near future.{{Cite news |agency=PTI|date=4 June 2017|title=Developers expects solar power tariff to drop to Rs 1.5/unit|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/developers-expects-solar-power-tariff-to-drop-to-rs-1-5unit/700444/|access-date=18 July 2021|newspaper=The Financial Express|language=en-US}}

The lowest solar tariff in May 2018 is Rs 2.71/kWh (without incentives) which is less than the tariff of Bhadla solar park (₹2.44 per kWh with VGF incentive) after the clarification that any additional taxes are pass through cost with hike in the tariff.{{Cite web|last=Prateek|first=Saumy|date=15 May 2018|title=L1 Tariff of ₹2.71/kWh Quoted in MSEDCL's 1 GW Solar Auction|url=https://mercomindia.com/l1-tariff-1gw-solar-auction-msedcl/|access-date=18 July 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}}{{cite web|last=Saluja|first=Nishtha|date=4 April 2018|title=Govt amends solar bidding norms, developers can now pass on duty hike|url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/govt-amends-solar-bidding-norms-developers-can-now-pass-on-duty-hike/63606425|access-date=4 April 2018|website=ETEnergyworld.com}} In early July 2018 bids, the lowest solar PV tariff has touched {{INRConvert|2.44}} per kWh without viability gap funding incentive.{{Cite news|title=Solar tariffs once again hit all-time low of Rs 2.44 a unit at SECI auction |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/solar-tariffs-once-again-hit-all-time-low-of-rs-244-a-unit-at-seci-auction/articleshow/64834531.cms |access-date=4 July 2018|newspaper=The Economic Times |date=3 July 2018 |last1=Chandrasekaran |first1=Kaavya }}{{Cite web|last=Prateek|first=Saumy|date=13 July 2018|title=Solar Tariffs in India Remain Steady at ₹2.44/kWh in SECI's 3 GW Auction|url=https://mercomindia.com/seci-3-gw-solar-ists-auction-results/|access-date=18 July 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}} In June 2019, the lowest tariff is {{INRConvert|2.50}}/kWh for feeding in to the high voltage interstate transmission system (ISTS).{{Cite web|last=Prateek|first=Saumy|date=19 June 2019|title=SECI's 750 MW Solar Auction for Rajasthan Sees Lowest Tariff of ₹2.50/kWh|url=https://mercomindia.com/seci-750-solar-auction-rajasthan/|access-date=18 July 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Prateek|first=Saumy|date=12 June 2019|title=Lowest Bid of ₹2.54/kWh Against Ceiling Tariff of ₹2.65/kWh Wins SECI's 1.2 GW Solar Tender|url=https://mercomindia.com/seci-solar-auction-1-2-gw/|access-date=18 July 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Kabeer|first=Nitin|date=25 February 2019|title=Lowest Tariff of ₹2.55/kWh Wins SECI's 1.2 GW ISTS Solar Auction|url=https://mercomindia.com/lowest-tariff-secis-ists-solar-auction/|access-date=18 July 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}} In February 2019, the lowest solar power tariff is {{INRConvert|1.24}} per kWh for 50 MW contracted capacity at Pavagada Solar Park.{{Cite web|last=Kabeer|first=Nitin|date=21 February 2019|title=50 MW of Solar Projects to be Developed in Pavagada Solar Park at a Tariff of ₹1.24/kWh|url=https://mercomindia.com/50-mw-solar-karnataka-pavagada/|access-date=18 July 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Rajeshwari|first=Ankita|date=17 May 2018|title=India's Top 10 Solar States in Charts|url=https://mercomindia.com/top-solar-states-charts/|access-date=18 July 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}}

The tariff for rooftop installations is also falling with the recent offer of {{INRConvert|3.64}} with 100% locally made components.{{Cite web|last=Kabeer|first=Nitin|date=24 July 2018|title=CleanMax Quotes L1 Tariff of ₹3.64/kWh for NREDCAP's Rooftop Solar Tender|url=https://mercomindia.com/cleanmax-l1-bidder-nredcap-rooftop-solar-tender/|access-date=18 July 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}} In August 2022, the installation cost of rooftop solar has reduced below 45,000 Rs/KW for capacity between 1 and 3 kW.{{Cite web|title=A 1 kW Residential Rooftop Solar System in Jaipur to Cost ₹43,500|url=https://mercomindia.com/1-kw-residential-rooftop-system-jaipur-cost-%E2%82%B943500/|website=Mercom India}}

In May 2020, the discovered first-year tariff is {{INRConvert|2.90}} per kWh with {{INRConvert|3.60}} per kWh levelised tariff for round-the-clock hybrid renewable power supply.{{cite web|last=Dutta|first=Sanjay|date=9 May 2020|title=India wins deal for 24X7 supply of green power|url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/india-wins-deal-for-24x7-supply-of-green-power/75639046|access-date=9 May 2020|website=ETEnergyworld.com}} In November 2020, Solar PV power tariff has fallen to {{INRConvert|2.00}} per kWh.{{cite web|author=Jyoti Gulia |author2=Vibhuti Garg |date=December 2020|title=Why India's Solar Power Tariffs Reached an Historic Low: New Record of Rs2 Per kWh|url=http://ieefa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Why-Solar-Power-Tariffs-in-India-Reached-an-Historic-Low_December-2020.pdf|access-date=1 December 2020|website=Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis}}{{cite web|last=Bhaskar|first=Utpal|date=28 November 2020|title=India's solar power tariffs to fall further: Raj Kumar Singh|url=https://www.livemint.com/industry/energy/india-s-solar-power-tariffs-to-fall-further-raj-kumar-singh-11606565773054.html|access-date=19 December 2020|website=livemint.com}}

In March 2021, the discovered levelised tariff was {{INRConvert|2.20}} per kWh after the imposition of basic customs duty (BCD) on imported solar PV panels and cells.{{Cite web|last=Ranjan|first=Rakesh|date=22 March 2021|title=First Auction After BCD: GUVNL's 500 MW Solar Auction Gets Lowest Tariff of ₹2.20/kWh|url=https://mercomindia.com/first-auction-after-bcd-guvnl-solar/|access-date=18 July 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}} The discovered tariff for floating solar power was {{INRConvert|3.70}} per kWh in November 2022.{{cite web|access-date=13 November 2022|title=NTPC, SJVN, Hinduja Win RUMSL's Phase II 300 MW Floating Solar Auction at ₹3.69–3.70/kWh |date=11 November 2022 | url=https://mercomindia.com/ntpc-sjvn-hinduja-rumsls-phase-ii-300-mw-floating-solar-auction/}}

In April 2023, the discovered minimum levelised tariff was {{INRConvert|3.99}} per kWh for the round-the-clock hybrid solar power supply with or without storage.{{Cite web|title=Sprng, NTPC, Ayana, O2 Win Railway's 1 GW Solar-Wind Hybrid Auction|url=https://www.mercomindia.com/sprng-ntpc-ayana-o2-1-gw-hybrid-auction|access-date=8 April 2023|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}} In April 2023, the discovered minimum tariff for solar power was {{INRConvert|2.55}} per kWh.{{cite web|access-date=8 April 2023|title=ENGIE, ReNew, NTPC Win Government's 1,250 MW Solar Auction| url=https://www.mercomindia.com/solairedirect-renew-ntpc-1250-mw-solar-auction}} In 2023, the minimum levelised tariff (₹/kWh) was {{INRConvert|2.51}}.{{cite web|access-date=29 December 2023|title= Five Lowest Winning Bids in Solar Auctions in India during 2023| url=https://www.mercomindia.com/solairedirect-renew-ntpc-1250-mw-solar-auction}}

In December 2023, solar module prices in China fallen steeply below 0.15 US$/watt and solar cell prices below 0.055 US$/watt. The cost of imported solar cells is only 1/6 of the total project cost. However, Indian made solar module prices are at least 50% more than the prices of modules made in China.{{cite web|access-date=24 April 2024|title= Swelect, Grew, Renew win SECI's auction to supply 400 MW solar modules| url=https://www.mercomindia.com/swelect-grew-renew-win-secis-auction-supply-400-mw-solar-modules}} The imported cost component of solar power plants is less than the imported cost component of fossil fuel based power plants in India and it would reduce further in few years with the indigenous production capacity in pipeline. A record 69+ GW of renewable energy (mostly solar) tenders were issued in FY 2023-24, surpassing the government-mandated target of 50GW.{{cite web|access-date=8 May 2024|title= Utility-scale Renewable Energy Tendering Trends in India| url=https://ieefa.org/sites/default/files/2024-05/Utility-scale%20renewable%20energy%20tendering%20trends%20in%20India_May24.pdf}} Average capital cost of large scale solar plants have fallen drastically below ₹ 35 million per MW in 2024.{{cite web|access-date=7 June 2024|title= Average cost of large-scale solar fell 28% YoY in Q1 2024| url=https://www.mercomindia.com/average-cost-large-scale-solar-q1-2024}}

In October 2024, solar power levelised tariff has fallen to 0.013 US$/kWh compared to {{INRConvert|2.5}} discovered in Indian currency.{{cite web|access-date=25 October 2024|title= Saudi Arabia's 3.7 GW Solar Tender Attracts Lowest Bid Of $0.0129/kwh| url=https://www.wedoany.com/en/shortnews/gKQBdYRb.html}} In December 2024, the response by the bidders for the solar PV was not satisfactory and the levelised tariff has increased to {{INRConvert|3.10}} per kWh due to mandatary use of locally produced solar PV panels/modules.{{cite web|access-date=25 December 2024|title= Renew, Acme and Adani win SECI's 1,000 MW ISTS solar power auction| url=https://www.mercomindia.com/renew-acme-and-adani-ists-solar-power-auction}} Meanwhile, China has enhanced export price of polysilicon material by 5 times over the local price to protect its profit margins on entire downstream production chain since it is the monopoly in production of solar grade polysilicon.{{cite web|access-date=25 December 2024|title= Price trends - PV spot prices| url=https://www.energytrend.com/solar-price.html}}

{{anchor|Government Incentives}}At the end of July 2015, the chief incentives were:

1. Viability Gap Funding: Under the reverse bidding process, bidders who need least viability gap funding at the reference tariff (RS 4.93 per unit in 2016) is selected.{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/cabinet-clears-viability-gap-funding-for-5-000-mw-solar-power-projects-116012000821_1.html|title=Cabinet clears viability gap funding for 5,000 Mw solar power projects|last=Jai|first=Shreya|date=20 January 2016|work=Business Standard India|access-date=17 June 2018}} Funding was ₹1 Crore/MW for open projects on average in 2016.
2. Depreciation: For profit-making enterprises installing rooftop solar systems, 40 per cent of the total investment could be claimed as depreciation in the first year (decreasing taxes).
3. Liberal external commercial borrowing facility for the solar power plants.{{Cite web|last=Bajaj|first=Shaurya|date=25 November 2019|title=RBI Relaxes External Commercial Borrowing Norms to Benefit Solar & Wind Companies|url=https://mercomindia.com/rbi-relaxes-external-commercial-borrowing-solar-wind-companies/|access-date=18 July 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}}
4. To protect the local solar panel manufacturers, 25% safe guard duty is imposed for two years period from August 2018 on the imports from China & Malaysia who are suspected of dumping solar panels in to India.{{cite web|last=Chandrasekaran|first=Kaavya|date=31 July 2018|title=India imposes safeguard duty on solar cells imports for two years|url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/india-imposes-safeguard-duty-on-solar-cells-imports-for-two-years/65206347|access-date=31 July 2018|website=ETEnergyworld.com}}
5. Capital subsidies were applicable to rooftop solar-power plants up to a maximum of 500 kW. The 30 per cent subsidy was reduced to 15 per cent.
6. Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs): Tradeable certificates providing financial incentives for every unit of green power generated.{{Cite web |url=http://mnre.gov.in/pdf/MNRE_REC_Report.pdf |title=Report On Development of Conceptual Framework For Renewable Energy Certificate Mechanism for India |access-date=26 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106162415/http://mnre.gov.in/pdf/MNRE_REC_Report.pdf |archive-date=6 November 2011 }}
7. Net metering incentives depend on whether a net meter is installed and the utility's incentive policy. If so, financial incentives are available for the power generated.Narasimhan Santhanam (29 July 2015) [http://www.solarmango.com/ask/2015/07/29/incentives-available-for-rooftop-solar-installations-in-india/ Government Incentives for Rooftop Solar Installation in India.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150828160332/http://www.solarmango.com/ask/2015/07/29/incentives-available-for-rooftop-solar-installations-in-india/ |date=28 August 2015 }} Solar Mango. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
8. Assured Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): The power-distribution and -purchase companies owned by state and central governments guarantee the purchase of solar PV power when produced only during daylight. The PPAs offer fair market determined tariff for the solar power which is a secondary power or negative load and an intermittent energy source on a daily basis.
9. Interstate transmission system (ISTS) charges and losses are not levied during the period of PPA for the projects commissioned before 31 March 2022.{{Cite web|last=Prateek|first=Saumy|date=16 February 2018|title=Ministry of Power Waives ISTS Charges for Wind and Solar Projects Commissioned up to 2022|url=https://mercomindia.com/no-ists-charges-wind-solar-projects-commissioned-2022/|access-date=18 July 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}}
10. Union government offers 70% and 30% subsidy for the hill states and other states respectively for the installation of rooftop solar units. Additional incentives are offered to rooftop solar power plants from various state governments.{{Cite web|last=Kabeer|first=Nitin|date=29 August 2018|title=Madhya Pradesh's 35 MW Solar Rooftop Tender Sets Historic Lowest Tariff of ₹1.58/kWh|url=https://mercomindia.com/madhya-pradesh-solar-rooftop-tender-lowest-tariff/|access-date=18 July 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Prateek|first=Saumy|date=17 January 2019|title=Delhi's IPGCL Attracts Lowest Tariffs for RESCO Bids in Residential Rooftop Solar|url=https://mercomindia.com/delhi-ipgcl-resco-bids-rooftop-solar/|access-date=18 July 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}}
11. 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) is automatically permitted, subject to the provisions of The Electricity Act, 2003, to install solar power plants.{{cite web|author=Daizy Chawla |author2=Jatin Kapoor |date=16 April 2021|title=Foreign Direct Investment in India's solar power sector – A perspective|url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/opinion-foreign-direct-investment-in-indias-solar-power-sector-a-perspective/82097758|access-date=16 April 2021}}

{{anchor|International Solar Alliance}} In January 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President François Hollande laid the foundation stone for the headquarters of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in Gwal Pahari, Gurugram. The ISA will focus on promoting and developing solar energy and solar products for countries lying wholly or partially between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. The alliance of over 120 countries was announced at the Paris COP21 climate summit.{{cite news |url=http://www.alternet.org/environment/india-unveils-global-solar-alliance-120-countries-paris-climate-summit |title=India Unveils Global Solar Alliance of 120 Countries at Paris Climate Summit |last=Neslen |first=Arthur |date=4 December 2015 |newspaper=AlterNet |access-date=6 August 2016}} {{Citation needed span|text=One hope of the ISA is that wider deployment will reduce production and development costs, facilitating the increased deployment of solar technologies to poor and remote regions.|date=July 2021}}

{{anchor|Bulk raw materials of solar panels}}As of December 2023, manufacturing capacity of solar cells and solar modules in India was 6 GW and 37 GW respectively.{{cite web| title=India emerges as key player in solar trade amidst Xinjiang forced labor sanction |date=6 February 2024 |url=https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20240206VL203/india-green-energy-china-solar.html |access-date=6 February 2024}} The production capacity is expected to be 25 GW for solar cells and 60 GW for solar modules by the end of 2025. India has similar advantages in total solar panels manufacturing process by importing solar ingots grade silica from USA similar to China as the industrial wages and electricity costs are cheaper than in China. {{cite web| title=Why Are China's Solar Panels So Cheap? |url=https://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Solar-Energy/Why-Are-Chinas-Solar-Panels-So-Cheap.html |access-date=14 February 2024}} India is also exporting quartz to China which is used for making metallurgical silica and further converted to polysilicon ingots.{{cite web| title=First phase of Rs 69,000 crore ingot-to-module solar plant to start in Dec: Shirdi Sai Electricals' CMD Visweswara Reddy |date=24 March 2025 |url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/first-phase-of-rs-69000-crore-ingot-to-module-solar-plant-to-start-in-dec-shirdi-sai-electricals-cmd-visweswara-reddy/119419856 |access-date=25 March 2025}} Nearly 80 per cent of solar-panel's weight is flat glass.{{cite web|author=Keith Burrows |author2=Vasilis Fthenakis |title=Glass Needs for a Growing Photovoltaics Industry|url=http://www.clca.columbia.edu/6_Burrows_Fthenakis_SolarMaterials.pdf|access-date=29 July 2015|website=Center for Life Cycle Analysis, Columbia University}} Nearly 50 tons of flat glass is used to manufacture a MW of solar panels.{{cite web| title=Photovoltaic Solar Cells and Panels Waste in Jordan: Figures, Facts, and Concerns|date=17 October 2022 |url=https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/20/13313|access-date=25 March 2025}} Low-iron flat or float glass is manufactured from soda ash and iron-free silica. Soda-ash manufacturing from common salt is an energy-intensive process unless it is extracted from soda lakes or glasswort cultivation in alkali soil. To increase installation of photovoltaic solar-power plants, the production of flat glass and its raw materials must expand commensurately to eliminate supply constraints or future imports.{{cite web|author=Sharath Rao |author2=Rajendra Kharul |author3=Bhupesh Verma |author4=Suhas Tendulkar |author5=Ritesh Jain |author6=Varun Jyothiprakash |author7=Chandan Kumar |author8=Gaurav Jain |author9=Salil Joglekar |year=2015|title=Addressing the Challenges of RE Manufacturing in India|url=http://www.cstep.in/uploads/default/files/publications/stuff/CSTEP_Addressing_the_Challenges_of_RE_Manufacturing_in_India_Report_2015.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702150659/https://cstep.in/uploads/default/files/publications/stuff/CSTEP_Addressing_the_Challenges_of_RE_Manufacturing_in_India_Report_2015.pdf|archive-date=2 July 2018|access-date=29 July 2017|website=CSTEP|publisher=Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy, World Institute for Sustainable Energy}}

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), India, has issued a memorandum to ensure the quality of solar cells and solar modules.{{Cite web|last=Thomas|first=Tanya|date=24 November 2019|title=The setting sun on India's solar dreams|url=https://www.livemint.com/industry/energy/the-setting-sun-on-india-s-solar-dreams-11574612085929.html|access-date=20 June 2021|website=mint|language=en}}{{cite web|last=Prateek|first=Saumy|date=29 July 2019|title=Lack of Insurance for Solar Modules Holding Back India-Made Modules|url=https://mercomindia.com/lack-insurance-solar-modules-holding-indian-modules/|access-date=30 July 2019|website=Mercom India}} Compliance with the requisite specifications will grant manufacturers and their specific products an entry in the ALMM (Approved List of Models and Manufacturers.){{Cite web|title=BIS Notification for Modules|url=https://mnre.gov.in/sites/default/files/webform/notices/scan0008.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601055552/https://mnre.gov.in/sites/default/files/webform/notices/scan0008.pdf|archive-date=1 June 2019|access-date=20 June 2021|website=Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India}}{{Cite web|last=Prateek|first=Saumy|date=4 December 2018|title=MNRE Asks Lenders to Insist on BIS Certification of Solar Modules Rather than Tier-1 List|url=https://mercomindia.com/mnre-lenders-insist-bis-certification-solar-modules/|access-date=20 June 2021|website=Mercom India|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|last=Saluja|first=Nishtha|date=5 December 2018|title=MNRE tells lenders to favour BIS-compliant solar projects|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/mnre-tells-lenders-to-favour-bis-compliant-solar-projects/articleshow/66946683.cms?from=mdr|access-date=20 June 2021}} Indian manufacturers are gradually enhancing the production capacity of monocrystalline silicon PERC cells to supply better performing and enduring solar cells to local market. India's solar panel sector is expected to be self-sufficient by 2026.{{Cite web|title=India's Photovoltaic Manufacturing Capacity Set to Surge |url=http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/file/india%20photovoltaic.pdf|access-date=4 March 2023}} In May2024, India started production of ingots, that are converted into solar cells, from imported polysilicon.{{Cite web |title=Adani begins commercial output of wafers, ingots for solar |url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/adani-begins-commercial-output-of-wafers-ingots-for-solar-power/109936683|access-date=8 May 2024}}

For utility-scale solar projects, top solar module suppliers in 2016–17 were: Waaree Energies Ltd., Trina Solar, JA Solar, Canadian Solar, Risen, and Hanwha.{{cite web|title=India Solar Map – September 2017|url=http://www.bridgetoindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/India-Solar-Map-September-2017.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922061904/http://bridgetoindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/India-Solar-Map-September-2017.pdf|archive-date=22 September 2018|access-date=30 September 2017|publisher=Bridge to India}}

{{anchor|List of major photovoltaic power stations}}

{{See also|List of photovoltaic power stations|List of power stations in India#Solar}}

Below is a list of solar power generation facilities with a capacity of at least 20 MW.{{cite web|url=http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/others/planning/rpm/Plant-wise%20details%20of%20RE%20Installed%20Capacity-merged.pdf|title=Plant wise details of Renewable Energy Installed Capacity|access-date=21 March 2020|archive-date=25 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325162713/http://cea.nic.in/reports/others/planning/rpm/Plant-wise%20details%20of%20RE%20Installed%20Capacity-merged.pdf}}

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{{Location map+|India|AlternativeMap=|float=center|width=380|caption=|places=

{{Location map~|India|lat=27.5396685|long=71.9152528|label=Bhadla|position=right}}

{{Location map~|India|lat=14.25|long=77.45|label=Pavagada|position=left}}

{{Location map~|India|lat=14.031944|long=78.435833|label=NP Kunta|position=right}}

{{Location map~|India|lat=15.681522|long=78.283749|label=Kurnool|position=right}}

{{Location map~|India|lat=9.347568|long=78.392162|label=Kamuthi|position=left}}

{{Location map~|India|lat=18.961667|long=76.212778|label=Maharashtra I|label_width=8|position=top}}

{{Location map~|India|lat=16.152778|long=77.765556|label=Telangana I|position=left}}}}

{{cite web|title=Plant wise details of Renewable Energy Installed Capacity|url=http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/others/planning/rpm/Plant-wise%20details%20of%20RE%20Installed%20Capacity-merged.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807055702/http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/others/planning/rpm/Plant-wise%20details%20of%20RE%20Installed%20Capacity-merged.pdf|archive-date=7 August 2020|access-date=21 March 2020}}">

File:2020-05-20, Sentinel-2A L1C, True color (1).jpg|Bhadla Solar Park, Rajasthan {{nts|2245}} MW {{small|{{coord|27|32|22.81|N|71|54|54.91|E|name=Bhadla Solar Park}}}}

File:Ananthapuram Ultra Mega Solar Park 2020.jpg|NP Kunta Ultra Mega Solar Park, Andhra Pradesh {{nts|978}} MW {{small|{{coord|14|01|N|78|26|E|name=NP Kunta Ultra Mega Solar Power Project}}}}

File:Pavagada Solar Park 2020.jpg|Pavagada Solar Park, Karnataka {{nts|2050}} MW {{small|{{coord|14|15|7|N|77|26|51|E|name=Pavagada Solar Park}}}}

File:Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park 2020.jpg|Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park, Andhra Pradesh {{nts|1000}} MW {{small|{{coord|15.681522|78.283749|name=Kurnool Solar Park}}}}

File:KamuthiSolarPark.jpg|Kamuthi Solar Power Project, Tamil Nadu 648 MW {{coord|9.347568|78.392162|type:landmark_region:IN}}

File:Solar Power Plant Maharashtra I in state of Maharashtra, India, 67.2-MWp DC.jpg|Maharashtra I Solar Power Plant, Maharashtra {{nts|67}} MW

File:Solar Power Plant Telangana I in state of Telangana, India, 12-MWp DC.jpg|Telangana I Solar Power Plant, Telangana 12 MW

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• Renewable energy in India
• Electricity sector in India
• Energy policy of India
• Cost of electricity by source
• Wind power in India
• Biofuels in India
• Hydroelectric power in India
• Growth of photovoltaics
• Index of solar energy articles

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{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://indianstates.csis.org/national-goals/solar-performance-tracker/ Solar Performance Tracker]. Center for Strategic and International Studies
• [http://164.100.94.214/file-manager/annual-report/2015-2016/EN/Chapter%204/chapter_4.htm Annual Report 2015-16.] MNRE
• [https://mnre.gov.in/img/documents/uploads/file_f-1608040317211.pdf Annual Report 2018-19]. MNRE. [https://web.archive.org/web/20210421153703/https://mnre.gov.in/img/documents/uploads/file_f-1608040317211.pdf Archived] on 21 April 2021.
• [https://mnre.gov.in/img/documents/uploads/file_f-1618564141288.pdf Annual Report 2020-2021.] MNRE. [https://web.archive.org/web/20210421121519/https://mnre.gov.in/img/documents/uploads/file_f-1618564141288.pdf Archived] on 21 April 2021.

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