Solar power generation capacity crosses 5,000 MW mark

The country's grid-connected solar power generation capacity has crossed the 5,000 MW mark, with Rajasthan on top, followed by Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, government said today.
"On the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti/Pongal, the installed capacity of solar power in India crossed the milestone of 5,000 MW yesterday.
"The cumulative installed capacity has reached 5,130 MW with installed capacity of 1,385 MW in current financial year," Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said in a press release.
According to the statement, Rajasthan leads the list with 1,264.35 MW capacity, followed by Gujarat (1,024 MW), Madhya Pradesh (679 MW), Tamil Nadu (419 MW), Maharashtra (379 MW) and Andhra Pradesh (357 MW).

The government has set an ambitious target of generating 100 GW of solar power by 2021-22 under the National Solar Mission.
It is envisaged to generate 60 GW ground mounted grid-connected solar power and 40 GW roof-top grid interactive solar power to meet the target.

The ministry has also fixed year-wise targets to monitor the solar power generation in the country.
The target for the current year is 2,000 MW and 12,000 MW for the next year.
The ministry is putting all efforts through various Central and state governments schemes to achieve the target. It has also initiated several schemes for development of solar parks and ultra mega solar power projects.

Tenders for around 18,000 MW of solar projects are expected to be issued by March 31, 2016, it said.