Solar rooftop potential in India

India is taking a huge leap towards achieving its target of installing 40 GW of rooftop solar by 2022. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has been taking numerous initiatives to promote and encourage the adoption of rooftop solar in India. The present status of rooftop solar in India shows that the sector is growing at a healthy pace and has the potential to become a major contributor to India’s renewable energy targets.

According to a report published by MNRE, the total installed rooftop solar capacity in India as of March 2021 is 6,792 MW. The report highlights that the government’s efforts have helped in increasing the rooftop solar installations in the country. The MNRE has set a target of achieving a cumulative capacity of 40 GW from rooftop solar installations by 2022, which is a huge task but achievable with the right measures.

The report further reveals that out of the total installed capacity, the residential sector accounts for the maximum installations with a share of 3,149 MW, followed by the industrial and commercial sector with 2,604 MW and 1,039 MW, respectively. The government sector has installed 287 MW of rooftop solar capacity.

Another interesting fact that the report highlights is that the states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu have the highest installed rooftop solar capacity in the country. These states have installed 1,193 MW, 995 MW, and 777 MW, respectively. The top ten states account for around 85% of the total installed rooftop solar capacity in India.

The report also highlights the various initiatives taken by the MNRE to promote rooftop solar installations in the country. These initiatives include the Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Programme, the Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Programme, the National Solar Mission, and the Solar City Programme, among others. These programmes aim to provide financial incentives, subsidies, and technical support to promote the adoption of rooftop solar in India.

The MNRE has also taken measures to reduce the cost of installation of rooftop solar systems. The government has reduced the goods and services tax (GST) on rooftop solar installations from 18% to 5%, making it more affordable for consumers. The government has also launched the KUSUM scheme, which provides a subsidy for solar pumps, solarization of agricultural feeders, and installation of solar power plants on barren lands.

Despite these efforts, there are still challenges that need to be addressed for the growth of rooftop solar in India. The report highlights some of the challenges such as lack of awareness, high upfront costs, low-quality products, and a lack of skilled manpower. The government needs to work on these challenges to create a conducive environment for the growth of rooftop solar in the country.

In conclusion, the present status of rooftop solar in India shows that the sector is growing steadily, but there is still a long way to go to achieve the target of 40 GW by 2022. The government’s efforts to promote rooftop solar installations in the country have been commendable, but there are still challenges that need to be addressed. With the right measures and policies, rooftop solar has the potential to become a major contributor to India’s renewable energy targets and help the country achieve its climate goals.