India’s Solar Potential Reaches 748 GWp, Rajasthan Leads the Charge

New Delhi: Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy and Power, R.K. Singh, announced on Wednesday that India’s total solar energy potential has been estimated at an impressive 748 GWp (Giga Watt peak). The estimation, provided by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), is based on data from the Waste Land Atlas of India 2010.

Rajasthan emerges as the frontrunner in solar potential with a staggering 1,42,310 MW, securing the top spot. The Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir follows closely in second place with 1,11,050 MW, while Maharashtra claims the third position with a solar potential of 64,320 MW.

Among the top 10 states contributing to India’s solar power potential, Madhya Pradesh secures the fourth spot with 61,660 MW, followed by Andhra Pradesh (38,440 MW), Gujarat (35,770 MW), Himachal Pradesh (33,840 MW), Odisha (25,780 MW), Karnataka (24,700 MW), and Uttar Pradesh (22,830 MW).

Minister R.K. Singh also highlighted that as of December 31, 2023, a total of 51 solar parks with a combined capacity of 37,740 MW have been sanctioned in 12 states since the scheme’s launch in December 2014. Out of this, 10,504 MW of solar projects have been commissioned across 20 solar parks.

The government has set an ambitious target of achieving 500 GW of installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment at COP-26 in Glasgow. However, the minister noted that specific state-wise targets for this goal have not been finalized yet.