India added more solar power in first half of 2017 than in all of 2016

Uncertainty over GST, utilities renegotiating to get better rates pose challenge for future addition

The Indian solar market added 1,869 megawatt (Mw) in the second quarter of 2017, bringing installations in the first half of the year to 4,765 Mw. This figure surpasses the 4,313 Mw installed in all of 2016.

Mercom India Research shows that in the first half of 2017, large-scale solar installations made up 4,290 Mw (90 per cent) and rooftop installations constituted 475 MW (10 per cent) of total installations. Cumulative solar rooftop installations crossed a significant milestone of 1 Gw at the end of Q2 2017.

The Indian solar market had its best first half and is on pace to have