India, at present, generates less than 5 MW of solar power every year. With the plans to produce 1000 MW of power by 2013, the country is all set to launch its Solar Mission as part of the Nation Action Plan, as per the news published by The Times of India.

 

Besides the 2013 target, India also proposes to generate 3000 MW of solar power by 2017. This is planned to be achieved through the compulsory utilization of renewable purchase obligations by the utilities, supported by a preferential tariff. To drive the power sector into solar reforms, a comprehensive package has been designed, which could result in production of 20,000 MW of solar power each year by 2020.

 

The government of India is also aiming to produce 200 MW of off-grid solar power and solar collectors to cover 7 Million Sq Meters in the first phase, i.e. during 2010-2013.

 

The ambitious 2022 target of generating more than 20 GW power will be reliant on the first two phases, i.e. 2013 and 2017 targets. If successful, by the end of the programme, this target may possibly lead to grid-competitive solar power. The government aspires to generate 2,000 MW of off-grid solar power, 20,000 MW of grid-based solar power and cover up 20 Million Sq Meters with collectors by the final phase ending in 2022.

 

The operation also incorporates a major initiative to encourage rooftop solar PV applications. A solar feed-in tariff is expected to be announced by the regulatory authorities that will be applicable to these installations.

 

According to “Indian Solar Energy Market Outlook 2012”, a RNCOS research report, after Germany, China, and Japan, the Indian solar industry could emerge as the world’s fourth largest solar energy generator. The Indian solar PV market would worth nearly US$ 5.3 Billion per year by 2025.

 

According to a Research Analyst at RNCOS, “Renewable energy sources are an essential element of the country’s power policy, aimed to satisfy the power needs of remote and rural regions. Nearly 45% of households do not have access to electricity in India; thus, in a country like this, solar energy offers huge potential. Moreover, solar power can play a considerable role in India’s domestic energy supply.”