India’s rooftop sector still lagging behind

With barely 1.8 MW solar power (roof top) achieved in the first month of the 2018-2019 financial year, against the end of year target of 1000 MW, India’s solar dreams are hitting massive rooftop blocks. Grid-interactive solar power (ground mounted) has fared better, achieving 231.81 MW against the EoY 10 GW target.

May 30, 2018 Preeti Verma Lal

231 kW industrial project installed for Update Prints (India), Gurugram, Haryana. India's rooftop solar segment has so far not seen the same impressive progress the country has achieved with ground mount projects.

Image: MYSUN

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has published new installation statistics for April 2018, in its Programme/Scheme-wise Physical Progress in 2018-2019.

According to the circular released on May 28, during the same period, Off-grid/Captive Power Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) Systems achieved 40 MW, against the EoY target of 200 MW.

This is not the first time that dark clouds have loomed over India’s solar power (roof top) numbers. In the 2017-2018 financial year, Grid-Interactive Solar Power (Rooftop) fared poorly with only 352.83 MW achieved against the 1000 MW target. It may be noted that in 2017-2018, the Central government had quietly downscaled its rooftop target from 5000 MW to 1000 MW.

The cumulative numbers (as of April 30, 2018) are disheartening as well. So far, India has achieved only 1065.41 MW in the rooftop segment while ground-mounted solar power is spreading more sunshine with better cumulative statistics – 20819.64 MW.

As part of the world’s largest renewable-energy expansion plan, by 2022 India aims to have 175 GW of energy from renewable sources, with solar power contributing 100 GW. Four years from now, India expects to have 38 solar parks selling power to state-owned distribution companies to supply to end-users. Meeting the 175 GW deadline is expected to cost Rs 125 billion.

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