The solar power segment in the country attained its highest ever half-early capacity addition this year with 8.40 GW to the grid. As per the data, the new capacity addition during January-June 2022 period stood at about 8.36 GW. This includes utility-scale, rooftop and off-grid-based power generation.

According to media reports, the solar segment’s new capacity addition during the first half is 71% higher compared to the year-ago period. Rajasthan added the highest capacity of 4.5 GW capacity, followed by Gujarat (1.5 GW) and Tamil Nadu (0.86 GW). Rajasthan is a leader among states when it comes to renewable energy generation.

During the half-year period, the total renewable capacity addition was about 9 GW, of which nearly 8.4 GW came from the solar segment alone. Considering this growth, the solar segment will likely achieve a great installed capacity by the end of the year.

It is to be noted that the government had set a target of 175 GW of renewable energy by the end of 2022. In this, individual targets of solar power, wind power, biomass and small hydro were fixed at 100 GW, 60 GW, 10 GW and 5 GW, respectively.

As of June 30, 2022, the total grid-connected renewable energy capacity was 114 GW. Of this, solar energy accounted for 57.71 GW, followed by wind power at 40.79 GW, biopower at 10.21 GW, and small hydro at 4.89 GW.
Meanwhile, the Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy R.K. Singh told Lok Sabha last week that solar projects of 48.71 GW capacity are in progress, and 16.69 GW are at tendering stage. Thus, 123.11 GW of solar power capacity has been commissioned or is in the pipeline.