Gujarat to be 4th largest state in rooftop solar power projects by 2022: report

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By 2021-22, Gujarat could emerge as the fourth largest state in India with proposed 3,200 megawatt (Mw) grid connected rooftop solar power projects, a latest Indian solar power market update report by Mercom Capital Group stated.

As per the global communications and consulting firm's report, by 2021-22, Gujarat will follow states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in terms of grid connected rooftop solar power projects  which could cumulatively rise to 40,000 Mw buoyed by the Government of India's National Solar Mission.

The Government of India raised the National Solar Mission's solar installation target from 22,000 Mw to 100,000 Mw by 2022 with a split of 60,000 Mw for large-scale projects and 40,000 Mw for rooftop projects.

According to Mercom Capital Group's Indian solar market update report, Gujarat proposed 15 Mw grid connected rooftop solar project forthe year 2015-16 which could increase to 3,200 Mw by 2021-22.

On the other hand, by 2021-22, Maharashtra would lead with 4,700 Mw rooftop projects followed by Uttar Pradesh with 4,300 Mw and Tamil Nadu with 3,500 Mw grid connected rooftop solar power projects. The projections come at a time when the Gujarat government recently declared relaxation in revised Solar Power Policy 2015.

"Gujarat Solar Power Policy 2015 aims to scale up solar power generation in sustainable manner. Object of the policy are to promotegreen and clean energy. Most importantly it will encourage growth of local manufacturing facilities in line with Make in India program and promote  research, development and innovation in renewable energy sector," said an official of energy department of Gujarat.

Under the policy, any surplus energy generated and exportedafter adjustment of the consumption at the end of the billing cycle shell bepurchased by the concerned distribution company.

Gujarat government has revised its solar power policy and as per new policy government will gives exemption in transmission charge and loss, wheeling charge and loss and electricity duty for the rooftop solar powerprojects to households, government and industry also. Mercom report said that while 60,000 Mw may be achievable with the right policies in place, 40,000 Mw of rooftop in six years is very aggressive considering cumulative rooftop installations in India are just under 250 Mw.