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					</table><p>The cumulative utility-scale solar installations in India stood at 59.1 GW at the end of September 2023, according to Mercom India&#8217;s latest available data.</p>
<p>The full-year installation numbers for 2023 will be released in February.</p>
<p>Here is a look at India&#8217;s top five states for utility-scale solar installations.</p>
<p>As of September 2023, <strong>Rajasthan&#8217;s </strong>total utility-scale solar installations represented 28.2% of the country&#8217;s total installations.</p>
<p>With the advantage of high irradiation, Rajasthan has held on to its lead. The state, however, saw a dip in installations during the year, mainly due to project delays in the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) region.</p>
<p>Utility-scale solar installations dropped 78.9% YoY in the first nine months (9M) of the calendar year (CY) 2023.</p>
<p>Solar Energy Corporation of India&#8217;s projects under the Central Public Sector Undertaking program, inter-state transmission system-connected solar projects, and Kerala State Electricity Board&#8217;s project in Bikaner contributed to the solar additions in Rajasthan during the year.</p>
<p><strong><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-61777" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-1.jpg" alt="Utility scale 1" width="1667" height="250" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-1.jpg 1667w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-1-300x45.jpg 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-1-768x115.jpg 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-1-1536x230.jpg 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-1-650x97.jpg 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-1-624x94.jpg 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-1-600x90.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1667px) 100vw, 1667px" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Karnataka</strong> had the country&#8217;s second-largest operational utility-scale solar project portfolio with 15.8%. The state witnessed significant capacity additions during the first and the third quarter of 2023.</p>
<p>During 9M 2023, the installations in the state dropped 7.1% YoY.</p>
<p>Most of the installations in the state came from open-access projects, benefiting from favorable policies, accessible transmission infrastructure, and a lower cost of open access power compared to the retail power tariff.</p>
<p>In Q3 2023, Karnataka had the second-highest capacity additions in the country. Notably, open-access solar projects constituted 66.2% of the total installations in the state during the quarter.</p>
<p><strong><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-61778" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-2.jpg" alt="Utility scale 2" width="1667" height="250" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-2.jpg 1667w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-2-300x45.jpg 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-2-768x115.jpg 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-2-1536x230.jpg 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-2-650x97.jpg 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-2-624x94.jpg 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-2-600x90.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1667px) 100vw, 1667px" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Gujarat</strong>&#8216;s contribution to the country&#8217;s overall operational utility-scale solar capacity was 10.8% at the end of Q3 2023.</p>
<p>The state installed 1.15 GW of utility-scale solar capacity in 9M 2023.</p>
<p>In the July to September period, Gujarat State Electricity Corporation&#8217;s projects contributed significantly, accounting for 41.7% of the total installed capacity in the quarter.</p>
<p><strong><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-61779" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-3.jpg" alt="Utility scale 3" width="1667" height="250" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-3.jpg 1667w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-3-300x45.jpg 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-3-768x115.jpg 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-3-1536x230.jpg 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-3-650x97.jpg 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-3-624x94.jpg 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-3-600x90.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1667px) 100vw, 1667px" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Tamil Nadu</strong> was fourth among states with an installed utility-scale solar capacity, representing 8.7% of the country&#8217;s installations. However, the installations in 9M 2023 dropped by 15.7% YoY.</p>
<p>After the hike in retail tariff in 2022, the state has witnessed rapid solar adoption from consumers keen on reducing their operating costs. Most of the installations were fuelled by open access projects in the state, which constituted a substantial 82.7% of the total installations during the second quarter alone.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-61780" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-4.jpg" alt="Utility scale 4" width="1667" height="250" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-4.jpg 1667w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-4-300x45.jpg 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-4-768x115.jpg 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-4-1536x230.jpg 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-4-650x97.jpg 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-4-624x94.jpg 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-4-600x90.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1667px) 100vw, 1667px" /></p>
<p>The fifth state was <strong>Andhra Pradesh,</strong> with 4.4 GW, representing 7.5% of the country&#8217;s installations.</p>
<p>The state experienced a major slump during 9M 2023, installing just 14.98 MW, an 88.2% YoY drop.</p>
<p>The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission has <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/andhra-pradesh-renewable-purchase-obligation-2026-27" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> the renewable power purchase obligation targets until the financial year (FY) 2026-27. The RPPO targets are 18% for FY 2022-23, 19% for FY 2023-24, 20% for FY 2024-25, 22% for FY 2025-26, and 24% for FY 2026-27, which is expected to drive the state DISCOMs to procure more solar power.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-61781" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-5.jpg" alt="Utility scale 5" width="1667" height="250" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-5.jpg 1667w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-5-300x45.jpg 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-5-768x115.jpg 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-5-1536x230.jpg 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-5-650x97.jpg 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-5-624x94.jpg 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Utility-scale-5-600x90.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1667px) 100vw, 1667px" /></p>
<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://cms.mercomindia.com/author/gautamee-hazarika/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Gautamee Hazarika</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><div class="designboxt">
<p><img class="alignleft" style="border-radius: 50%;height: 50px;margin-top: -4px;border: 1px solid #00b451" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Picture1.jpg" width="50" /></p>
<p><strong style="text-decoration: underline">Gautamee,</strong> Staff reporter at Mercom India<br />
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/gautamee-hazarika/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More articles from Gautamee.</a><br />
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<a href="gautamee@mercomindia.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gautamee@mercomindia.com</a></p>
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<div class="authorboxn"><img class="alignleft" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Picture1.jpg" width="102" height="102" /><a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/gautamee-hazarika/" rel="noopener">Gautamee</a> is a reporter at Mercom India. Prior to Mercom, Gautamee was working as a multimedia news journalist at ThePrint in New Delhi. She has received her Bachelors in English Honors and Masters in English Literature from St.Stephen&#8217;s College, University of Delhi.<a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/gautamee-hazarika/" rel="noopener">More articles from Gautamee</a></div>
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Top Five States for Utility-Scale Solar in 2023 [Infographics]


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					</table><p>With the introduction of the wind purchase obligation, there has been a significant increase in wind capacity auctioned in India during the year.</p>
<p>Earlier this year, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/government-bid-solar-wind-fy24" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> an agency-wise bidding calendar for 50 GW renewable energy projects annually till the financial year 2027-28. The calendar includes 10 GW of wind energy projects annually.</p>
<p>The Ministry of Power also <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/bidding-guidelines-wind-power-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">notified</a> new bidding guidelines for wind energy projects in July this year, simplifying the process for the tender issuing parties.</p>
<p>The lowest wind energy tariff discovered in 2023 was ₹2.91 (~$0.0349)/kWh, 2.5% higher than the lowest tariff of ₹2.84 (~$0.0341)/kWh in 2022, as the sector struggles with supply chain issues and wind turbine shortages.</p>
<p>Here is the list of the lowest wind tariffs discovered in auctions during 2023, according to Mercom India Research:</p>
<p><strong><em>#1</em></strong> The lowest tariff of ₹2.91 (~$0.0349)/kWh was <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/juniper-edf-renewables-acme-solarcraft-win-guvnls-auction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">quoted</a> by Juniper Green Energy, which won 50 MW in the Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam’s (GUVNL) auction to supply power from 300 MW of grid-connected wind projects (Phase-IV) with a greenshoe option of 300 MW. The other auction participants &#8211; WYN Renewables (EDF Renewables) and ACME Pokharan Solar won 100 MW each by quoting ₹3 (~$0.0360)/kWh and ₹3.01 (~$0.0362)/kW, respectively. Solarcraft Power India (Blupine Energy) won 50 MW at ₹3.01 (~$0.0362)/kWh out of the quoted capacity of 100 MW.</p>
<p><strong><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-61712" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-1.jpg" alt="Wind Tariff 1" width="1667" height="250" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-1.jpg 1667w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-1-300x45.jpg 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-1-768x115.jpg 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-1-1536x230.jpg 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-1-650x97.jpg 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-1-624x94.jpg 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-1-600x90.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1667px) 100vw, 1667px" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>#2 </strong>In another auction by GUVNL to supply power from 500 MW of grid-connected wind projects (Phase V), Juniper Green Energy <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/juniper-evergreen-sjvn-blupine-win-500-mw-wind" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won</a> 70 MW by quoting ₹3.11 (~$0.0373)/kWh. Out of the total capacity of 500 MW, only 240 MW bids were accepted. Evergreen Renewables, SJVN Green Energy, and Solarcraft Power India (Blupine Energy) won 30 MW, 100 MW, and 40 MW, respectively, by quoting ₹3.17 (~$0.0381)/kWh.</p>
<p><strong><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-61714" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-2.jpg" alt="Wind Tariff 2" width="1667" height="250" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-2.jpg 1667w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-2-300x45.jpg 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-2-768x115.jpg 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-2-1536x230.jpg 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-2-650x97.jpg 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-2-624x94.jpg 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-2-600x90.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1667px) 100vw, 1667px" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>#3 – </strong>The third lowest tariff of ₹3.18 (~$0.0382)/kWh was quoted by Green Prairie Energy (EverGreen Power), which <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/evergreen-apraava-sjvn-torrent-blupine-avaada-secis-wind-auction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won</a> 190 MW in Solar Energy Corporation of India’s auction for 1.2 GW of interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected wind power projects (Tranche-XIV). The capacity allotted in the auction was 690 MW. Apraava Energy and SJVN Green Energy won 300 MW and 200 MW, quoting a tariff of ₹3.24 (~$0.0389)/kWh each.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-61716" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-3.jpg" alt="Wind Tariff 3" width="1667" height="250" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-3.jpg 1667w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-3-300x45.jpg 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-3-768x115.jpg 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-3-1536x230.jpg 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-3-650x97.jpg 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-3-624x94.jpg 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wind-Tariff-3-600x90.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1667px) 100vw, 1667px" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://cms.mercomindia.com/author/satish-shetty/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Satish Shetty</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><div class="designboxt">
<p><img class="alignleft" style="border-radius: 50%;height: 50px;margin-top: -4px;border: 1px solid #00b451" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Satish-pic-1.jpg" width="50" /></p>
<p><strong style="text-decoration: underline">Satish Shetty,</strong> Associate Editor at Mercom India<br />
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/satish-shetty/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More articles from Satish Shetty.</a></p>
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<div class="authorboxn"><img class="alignleft" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Satish-pic-1.jpg" width="102" height="102" /><a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/satish-shetty/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong style="color: #00b451">Satish Shetty</strong></a> is an Associate Editor with Mercom India. Prior to Mercom, Satish was a multimedia news producer at Reuters, where he gained experience in digital news media. Satish has his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Broadcast Journalism from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Malaysia.<br />
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Lowest Wind Auction Bids in India During 2023 [Infographics]


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					</table><p>The solar auction activity in the country was robust in 2023, with 14.65 GW of projects going under the hammer in 26 auctions.</p>
<p>The lowest tariff discovered in 2023 was ₹<em>2.51</em> (~$0.030)/kWh, 10% higher than the lowest tariff of ₹2.29 (~$0.027)/kWh in 2022.</p>
<p>Here is a list of the five lowest solar tariffs discovered in auctions in 2023:</p>
<p><strong>#1 </strong>Sprng Energy <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/sprng-ib-vogt-hinduja-blupine-win-guvnls-500-solar-auction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won</a> 200 MW by quoting ₹2.51 (~$0.030)/kWh in Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam’s auction to supply power from 500 MW of grid-connected solar power projects (Tranche-XVIII) with a greenshoe option of an additional 500 MW. ib vogt, Hinduja, and Blupine won 130 MW, 120 MW, and 50 MW, respectively, at ₹2.52 (~$0.030)/kWh.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-1.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-61637 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-1.jpg" alt="" width="1667" height="250" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-1.jpg 1667w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-1-300x45.jpg 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-1-768x115.jpg 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-1-1536x230.jpg 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-1-650x97.jpg 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-1-624x94.jpg 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-1-600x90.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1667px) 100vw, 1667px" /></a></strong></p>
<p><strong>#2 </strong>Solairedirect (ENGIE) <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/engie-avaada-jakson-mahindra-winners-nhpcs-solar-auction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won</a> the auction to develop a 250 MW solar project at a tariff of ₹2.52 (~$0.0303)/kWh in NHPC’s auction for 3 GW of interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected projects across India. The rest of the winners, Avaada (1,000 MW), Hazel Hybren (300 MW), Jakson (400 MW), Sprng Energy (250 MW), Green Infra Wind Energy (300 MW), Apraava (250 MW), and Hinduja (250 MW) quoted ₹2.53 (~$0.0304)/kWh. Hinduja Renewable Energy had bid for 490 MW but was awarded 250 MW.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-22.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-61640 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-22.jpg" alt="Solar Tariff 2" width="1667" height="250" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-22.jpg 1667w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-22-300x45.jpg 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-22-768x115.jpg 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-22-1536x230.jpg 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-22-650x97.jpg 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-22-624x94.jpg 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-22-600x90.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1667px) 100vw, 1667px" /></a></strong></p>
<p><strong>#2 </strong>Avaada Energy, Sprng Energy, and ReNew Solar Power (ReNew) <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/avaada-sprng-renew-blupine-win-secis-1-gw-solar-auction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won</a> 300 MW, 250 MW, and 300 MW in Solar Energy Corporation of India’s (SECI) auction to set up 1 GW of ISTS-connected solar power projects (Tranche XII). Solarcraft Power India 8 (Blupine Energy) quoted ₹2.53 (~$0.0304)/kWh to win 150 MW capacity.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-21-1.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-61646 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-21-1.jpg" alt="Solar Tariff 21" width="1667" height="250" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-21-1.jpg 1667w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-21-1-300x45.jpg 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-21-1-768x115.jpg 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-21-1-1536x230.jpg 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-21-1-650x97.jpg 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-21-1-624x94.jpg 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-21-1-600x90.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1667px) 100vw, 1667px" /></a></strong></p>
<p><strong>#3</strong> Solairedirect Energy India (ENGIE) <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/solairedirect-renew-ntpc-1250-mw-solar-auction/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won</a> 300 MW, and ReNew Solar Power won 400 MW by quoting ₹2.55 (~$0.031)/ kWh in REC Power Development and Consultancy’s auction to develop 1,250 MW ISTS-connected solar power projects (Tranche-I). NTPC Renewable Energy, which had bid for the entire capacity, won 550 MW by quoting ₹2.56 (~$0.031)/kWh.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-3-1.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-61660 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-3-1.jpg" alt="Solar Tariff 3 (1)" width="1667" height="250" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-3-1.jpg 1667w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-3-1-300x45.jpg 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-3-1-768x115.jpg 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-3-1-1536x230.jpg 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-3-1-650x97.jpg 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-3-1-624x94.jpg 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-3-1-600x90.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1667px) 100vw, 1667px" /></a></strong></p>
<p><strong>#4</strong> SAEL and ReNew <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/solairedirect-renew-ntpc-1250-mw-solar-auction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won</a> 600 MW each in SECI‘s auction to set up 2 GW ISTS-connected solar projects (Tranche XI) in India by quoting ₹2.60 (~$0.032)/kWh. Eden won 300 MW by quoting ₹2.60 (~$0.032)/kWh, and Jakson secured 200 MW by quoting ₹2.60 (~$0.032)/kWh. Shiva Corporation quoted ₹2.60 (~$0.032)/kWh for 100 MW. Avaada was the only bidder to quote ₹2.61 (~$0.032)/kWh and bagged 200 MW out of the quoted capacity of 500 MW.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-4.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-61649 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-4.jpg" alt="Solar Tariff 4" width="1667" height="250" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-4.jpg 1667w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-4-300x45.jpg 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-4-768x115.jpg 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-4-1536x230.jpg 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-4-650x97.jpg 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-4-624x94.jpg 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-4-600x90.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1667px) 100vw, 1667px" /></a></strong></p>
<p><strong>#5 </strong>Mahindra Susten and Sunfree Energy (SAEL) <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/mahindra-susten-sael-avaada-winners-ruvnls-1-gw-auction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won</a> 200 MW in Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam’s auction to supply 1 GW of power from state transmission utility-connected solar power projects in the state at a quoted tariff of ₹2.61 (~$0.032)/kWh. Avaada Energy won 200 MW at ₹2.62 (~$0.032)/kWh. Blupine Energy won 150 MW by quoting 2.61 (~$0.032) /kWh, and Jakson bagged 100 MW at ₹2.61 (~$0.032)/kWh. Shiva Corporation secured 50 MW at ₹2.61 (~$0.032)/kWh. SJVN won 100 MW out of the quoted capacity of 300 MW under the bucket-filling method by quoting ₹2.62 (~$0.032)/kWh.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-5.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-61650 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-5.jpg" alt="Solar Tariff 5" width="1667" height="250" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-5.jpg 1667w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-5-300x45.jpg 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-5-768x115.jpg 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-5-1536x230.jpg 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-5-650x97.jpg 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-5-624x94.jpg 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Solar-Tariff-5-600x90.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1667px) 100vw, 1667px" /></a></p>
<p>Subscribe to Mercom’s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-tender-tracker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Solar Tender Tracker</a> to stay on top of tender activity in real time.</p>
<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://cms.mercomindia.com/author/arjun-joshi/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Arjun Joshi</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><div class="designboxt">
<p><img class="alignleft" style="border-radius: 50%;height: 50px;margin-top: -4px;border: 1px solid #00b451" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Arjun-Joshi-1.png" width="50" /></p>
<p><strong style="text-decoration: underline">Arjun Joshi,</strong> Staff reporter at Mercom India<br />
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/arjun-joshi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More articles from Arjun Joshi.</a></p>
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<p><img class="alignleft" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Arjun-Joshi-1.png" width="86" height="102" /><a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/arjun-joshi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong style="color: #00b451">Arjun Joshi</strong> </a>is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Before joining Mercom, he worked as a technical writer for enterprise resource software companies based in India and abroad. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Psychology, and Optional English from Garden City University, Bangalore. <a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/arjun-joshi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More articles from Arjun Joshi.</a></p>
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Five Lowest Winning Bids in Solar Auctions in India During 2023 [Infographics]

<p>Cumulative utility-scale solar installations in India at the end of December 2021 stood at 41.5 GW, according to Mercom India Research.</p>
<p>Here is a look at the top five markets for utility-scale solar installations:</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-31486" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1_Rajasthan.png" alt="" width="3333" height="833" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1_Rajasthan.png 3333w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1_Rajasthan-300x75.png 300w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1_Rajasthan-2000x500.png 2000w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1_Rajasthan-768x192.png 768w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1_Rajasthan-1536x384.png 1536w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1_Rajasthan-2048x512.png 2048w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1_Rajasthan-650x162.png 650w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1_Rajasthan-624x156.png 624w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1_Rajasthan-600x150.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 3333px) 100vw, 3333px" /></p>
<p>Rajasthan was the <strong>top</strong> state for utility-scale solar projects with a cumulative installed capacity of 8.9 GW as of December 2021. This represents about 22% of the country&#8217;s total installed solar power capacity.  Rajasthan <a href="https://mercomindia.com/rajasthan-top-solar-state-india-8-2-gw-installed-capacity/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">overtook</a> Karnataka at the end of Q3 2021. Upcoming projects in Rajasthan could face delays in light of the Supreme Court&#8217;s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/overhead-powerlines-underground-great-indian-bustard/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ruling</a> on the need to protect the endangered Great Indian Bustard, whose habitat lies in some of the project areas. The state also <a href="https://mercomindia.com/world-largest-solar-park-bhadla/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">houses</a> the world&#8217;s largest Bhadla Solar Park.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-31487" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2_Karnataka.png" alt="" width="3333" height="833" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2_Karnataka.png 3333w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2_Karnataka-300x75.png 300w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2_Karnataka-2000x500.png 2000w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2_Karnataka-768x192.png 768w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2_Karnataka-1536x384.png 1536w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2_Karnataka-2048x512.png 2048w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2_Karnataka-650x162.png 650w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2_Karnataka-624x156.png 624w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2_Karnataka-600x150.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 3333px) 100vw, 3333px" /></p>
<p>Karnataka came in <strong>second </strong>for large-scale solar projects with a total installed capacity of 7.5 GW at the end of 2021. This amounts to about 18% of the country&#8217;s total installed solar power capacity. The state <a href="https://mercomindia.com/karnataka-reissues-draft-renewable-energy-policy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reissued</a> the &#8216;Draft Karnataka Renewable Energy Policy 2021-2026&#8217; to develop 10 GW of renewable energy projects with and without energy storage.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-31489" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3_Andhra-Pradesh.png" alt="" width="3333" height="833" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3_Andhra-Pradesh.png 3333w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3_Andhra-Pradesh-300x75.png 300w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3_Andhra-Pradesh-2000x500.png 2000w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3_Andhra-Pradesh-768x192.png 768w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3_Andhra-Pradesh-1536x384.png 1536w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3_Andhra-Pradesh-2048x512.png 2048w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3_Andhra-Pradesh-650x162.png 650w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3_Andhra-Pradesh-624x156.png 624w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3_Andhra-Pradesh-600x150.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 3333px) 100vw, 3333px" /></p>
<p>With a cumulative installed utility-scale solar project capacity of 4.3 GW, Andhra Pradesh is the <strong>third-largest</strong> state for solar as of December 2021. This makes up for over 10% of the country&#8217;s total installed solar power capacity.  In November this year, distribution companies in Andhra Pradesh <a href="https://mercomindia.com/andhra-discoms-regulatory-approval-procure-7-gw-solar-power-seci/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">received</a> regulatory approval to procure 7,000 MW of solar power from the Solar Energy Corporation of India.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-31490" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/4_Tamil-Nadu.png" alt="" width="3333" height="833" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/4_Tamil-Nadu.png 3333w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/4_Tamil-Nadu-300x75.png 300w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/4_Tamil-Nadu-2000x500.png 2000w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/4_Tamil-Nadu-768x192.png 768w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/4_Tamil-Nadu-1536x384.png 1536w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/4_Tamil-Nadu-2048x512.png 2048w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/4_Tamil-Nadu-650x162.png 650w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/4_Tamil-Nadu-624x156.png 624w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/4_Tamil-Nadu-600x150.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 3333px) 100vw, 3333px" /></p>
<p>In <strong>fourth</strong> place is Tamil Nadu with an aggregate installed utility-scale solar capacity of 4 GW accounting for close to 10% of the country&#8217;s total installed solar power capacity. The state <a href="https://mercomindia.com/tamil-nadu-order-double-solar-capacity/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aims</a> to install 8,971 MW by 2022. The state had issued draft amendments to the Tamil Nadu Electricity (Grid Connectivity and Intrastate Open Access) Regulations 2014 to <a href="https://mercomindia.com/tamil-nadu-proposes-priority-buying-power-various-sources-open-access/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">determine</a> the order of priority for purchasing power from various sources under open access. The state will develop a 4 GW solar park with battery energy storage systems.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-31491" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/5_Gujarat.png" alt="" width="3333" height="833" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/5_Gujarat.png 3333w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/5_Gujarat-300x75.png 300w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/5_Gujarat-2000x500.png 2000w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/5_Gujarat-768x192.png 768w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/5_Gujarat-1536x384.png 1536w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/5_Gujarat-2048x512.png 2048w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/5_Gujarat-650x162.png 650w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/5_Gujarat-624x156.png 624w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/5_Gujarat-600x150.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 3333px) 100vw, 3333px" /></p>
<p>Gujarat was the <strong>fifth-largest</strong> state for utility-scale solar projects with a total installed capacity of 3.9 GW, amounting to 9% of the country&#8217;s total installed solar power capacity. The state <a href="https://mercomindia.com/bids-invited-from-project-consultants/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids from project consultants to develop a 2,375 MW solar, wind, and hybrid renewable energy park at the Great Rann of Kutch area in Gujarat.</p>
<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://cms.mercomindia.com/author/arjun-joshi/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Arjun Joshi</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><div class="designboxt">
<p><img class="alignleft" style="border-radius: 50%;height: 50px;margin-top: -4px;border: 1px solid #00b451" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Arjun-Joshi-1.png" width="50" /></p>
<p><strong style="text-decoration: underline">Arjun Joshi,</strong> Staff reporter at Mercom India<br />
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/arjun-joshi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More articles from Arjun Joshi.</a></p>
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<p><img class="alignleft" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Arjun-Joshi-1.png" width="86" height="102" /><a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/arjun-joshi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong style="color: #00b451">Arjun Joshi</strong> </a>is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Before joining Mercom, he worked as a technical writer for enterprise resource software companies based in India and abroad. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Psychology, and Optional English from Garden City University, Bangalore. <a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/arjun-joshi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More articles from Arjun Joshi.</a></p>
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Top Five States for Utility-Scale Solar Installations in 2021 [Infographics]

<p>Cumulative utility-scale solar installations in India at the end of December 2020 stood at 34 GW, according to <a href="https://mercomindia.com/research-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mercom India Research</a>.</p>
<p>Installations were slow for most of the year due to the pandemic but gradually increased with the economy regaining momentum. Here is a look at the top five markets for utility-scale solar (also referred to as large-scale solar) installations:</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-5-scaled.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23763" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-5-scaled.jpg" alt="No 5" width="2560" height="927" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-5-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-5-300x109.jpg 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-5-2000x725.jpg 2000w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-5-768x278.jpg 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-5-1536x556.jpg 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-5-2048x742.jpg 2048w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-5-650x235.jpg 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-5-624x226.jpg 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-5-600x217.jpg 600w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-5-1024x371.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></p>
<p>Telangana was the <strong>fifth-largest</strong> state for utility-scale solar projects with a cumulative installed capacity of 3.5 GW as of December 2020. This represents about 11% of the total installed power capacity in the country. Solar power accounts for around 2% of the state’s overall installed power capacity. The state has exceeded its solar renewable purchase obligation (RPO) targets by 34% as of September 2020.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-4-scaled.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23759" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-4-scaled.jpg" alt="No 4" width="2560" height="927" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-4-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-4-300x109.jpg 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-4-2000x725.jpg 2000w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-4-768x278.jpg 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-4-1536x556.jpg 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-4-2048x742.jpg 2048w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-4-650x235.jpg 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-4-624x226.jpg 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-4-600x217.jpg 600w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-4-1024x371.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></p>
<p>With a capacity of 3.7 GW, Tamil Nadu was the <strong>fourth-largest</strong> state for large-scale solar projects in the country. While the state excels in wind power installations with around 9.4 GW of installed projects, Tamil Nadu has been among the top-five states for utility-scale solar projects for seven consecutive quarters as of December 2020. However, the state is behind on its solar RPO targets by 37% and has a relatively small solar project pipeline of 485 MW.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-3-scaled.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23761" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-3-scaled.jpg" alt="No 3" width="2560" height="927" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-3-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-3-300x109.jpg 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-3-2000x725.jpg 2000w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-3-768x278.jpg 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-3-1536x556.jpg 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-3-2048x742.jpg 2048w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-3-650x235.jpg 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-3-624x226.jpg 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-3-600x217.jpg 600w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-3-1024x371.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></p>
<p>Andhra Pradesh was the <strong>third-largest</strong> state for utility-scale solar projects with an installed capacity base of around 3.9 GW. This accounts for 12% of the country’s overall installed power capacity as of December 2020. While the state has 4.1 GW of wind installations, it exceeded its solar RPO target by around 33% and had a development pipeline of 1.2 GW of solar projects at the end of December 2020. In June this year, the Andhra Pradesh cabinet <a href="https://mercomindia.com/andhra-pradesh-mega-solar-agricultural/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">approved</a> a proposal to develop a 10 GW mega solar power project to benefit the state’s farmers.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-2-scaled.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23762" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-2-scaled.jpg" alt="No 2" width="2560" height="927" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-2-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-2-300x109.jpg 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-2-2000x725.jpg 2000w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-2-768x278.jpg 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-2-1536x556.jpg 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-2-2048x742.jpg 2048w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-2-650x235.jpg 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-2-624x226.jpg 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-2-600x217.jpg 600w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-2-1024x371.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></p>
<p>The <strong>second-largest</strong> state for utility-scale solar was Rajasthan, with about 4.9 GW of projects as of December 2020 – around 15% of the state’s total installed power capacity. Solar power accounted for 20% of the power capacity mix in the state. It has the largest solar project development pipeline in the country, with around 8.5 GW of solar projects, thanks to the high solar irradiation levels in the state. Rajasthan exceeded its solar RPO targets by 35%. Most of the solar power it produces is exported to other states. The world’s largest Bhadla Solar Park is located in Rajasthan, <a href="https://mercomindia.com/world-largest-solar-park-bhadla/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">hosting</a> 2,245 MW of solar projects.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-1-scaled.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23760" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-1-scaled.jpg" alt="No 1" width="2560" height="927" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-1-300x109.jpg 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-1-2000x725.jpg 2000w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-1-768x278.jpg 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-1-1536x556.jpg 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-1-2048x742.jpg 2048w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-1-650x235.jpg 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-1-624x226.jpg 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-1-600x217.jpg 600w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/No-1-1024x371.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></p>
<p>With 7.4 GW of installations, Karnataka continued to remain the <strong>top</strong> state in the country in terms of large-scale solar installations. Solar accounted for about 23% of the state’s total power capacity installed as of December 2020. The state has been at the top of the list since December 2018 (Q4 2018). It has exceeded its solar RPO targets by a whopping 177% but has a small solar project pipeline of about 280 MW.</p>
<p>In the first half of 2020, Hero Future Energies, SB Energy (SoftBank), and Aditya Birla <a href="https://mercomindia.com/hero-energy-aditya-top-utility-solar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">emerged</a> as the top utility-scale solar project developers in India in terms of installed capacity, according to Mercom’s India <a href="https://mercomindia.com/india-solar-market-leaders-1h-2020/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Solar Market Leaderboard 1H 2020 report.</a></p>
<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://cms.mercomindia.com/author/nithin-thomas-prasad/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Nithin Thomas</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><div class="designboxt">
<p><img class="alignleft" style="border-radius: 50%;height: 50px;margin-top: -4px;border: 1px solid #00b451" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Nithin-2-1.jpg" width="50" /></p>
<p><strong style="text-decoration: underline">Nithin Thomas,</strong> Staff reporter at Mercom India<br />
<a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/author/nithin-thomas-prasad/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More articles from Nithin Thomas.</a></p>
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<div class="authorboxn"><img class="alignleft" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Nithin-2-1.jpg" width="102" height="102" /><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/author/nithin-thomas-prasad/" rel="noopener">Nithin Thomas</a> is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Previously with Reuters News, he has covered oil, metals and agricultural commodity markets across global markets. He has also covered refinery and pipeline explosions, oil and gas leaks, Atlantic region hurricane developments, and other natural disasters. Nithin holds a Masters Degree in Applied Economics from Christ University, Bangalore and a Bachelor&#8217;s Degree in Commerce from Loyola College, Chennai.<a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/author/nithin-thomas-prasad/" rel="noopener">More articles from Nithin Thomas Prasad</a></div>
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Top Five States for Utility-Scale Solar Installations in 2020 [Infographics]

<p>Solar parks are a vital piece in India’s solar dream and were designed to reduce bottlenecks and bring down large-scale project development costs by allocating land, and providing transmission infrastructure, two big challenges for solar project development in India.</p>
<p>The solar park capacity was initially set at 20 GW, which was later increased to <a href="https://mercomindia.com/india-solar-park-capacity-increase-20-gw-40-gw-approved/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">40 GW</a> to develop a minimum of 50 solar parks of 500 MW and above capacity each by the financial year 2019-20. Later, in July 2018, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) extended the timeline to develop solar parks and ultra-mega solar projects totaling 40 GW from 2019-20 to <a href="https://mercomindia.com/mnre-extends-implementation-timeline-40-gw-solar-parks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2021-22</a>. Recently, the MNRE has <a href="https://mercomindia.com/mnre-details-ultra-mega-renewable-parks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">modified</a> its guidelines for the development of solar parks and ultra-mega solar power projects.</p>
<p>The top five operational solar parks in India, as of Q1 2020, had a capacity of 7 GW, which represented 22% of the total large-scale solar installations in the country.</p>
<p>Here is a quick look at the top five solar parks in the country:</p>
<p><strong>#1 Bhadla Solar Park, Rajasthan</strong></p>
<p>With attractive solar insolation, the state tops the list of solar park installations in the country. Bhadla Solar Park, with a capacity of <a href="https://mercomindia.com/world-largest-solar-park-bhadla/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2,245 MW</a>, is the world’s largest solar park.</p>
<p>Spread across more than 14,000 acres, the park is located at Bhadla village in the Jodhpur district in Rajasthan. The solar park contributes to almost 50% of the state’s solar installations, according to Mercom’s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/q1-2020-india-solar-market-update/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Q1 2020 India Solar Market Update</a>.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bhadla-Solar-Park.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19964" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bhadla-Solar-Park.png" alt="Bhadla Solar Park" width="1867" height="1381" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bhadla-Solar-Park.png 1867w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bhadla-Solar-Park-300x222.png 300w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bhadla-Solar-Park-1024x757.png 1024w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bhadla-Solar-Park-768x568.png 768w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bhadla-Solar-Park-1536x1136.png 1536w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bhadla-Solar-Park-650x481.png 650w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bhadla-Solar-Park-624x462.png 624w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bhadla-Solar-Park-600x444.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1867px) 100vw, 1867px" /></a></strong></p>
<p><strong>#2 Pavagada Solar Park, Karnataka</strong></p>
<p>The southern state of Karnataka is home to the Pavagada Solar Park, which is the second-largest in the country with <a href="https://mercomindia.com/karnatakas-pavagada-solar-operational/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2,050 MW</a> of projects in operation. Located in the Tumakuru district, the entire solar project capacity in the park was operational by December 2019 and was developed by the <a href="http://www.kspdcl.in/Index_eng.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Karnataka Solar Park Development Corporation Limited</a>.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pavagada-Solar-Park.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19961" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pavagada-Solar-Park.png" alt="Pavagada Solar Park" width="1829" height="1326" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pavagada-Solar-Park.png 1829w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pavagada-Solar-Park-300x217.png 300w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pavagada-Solar-Park-1024x742.png 1024w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pavagada-Solar-Park-768x557.png 768w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pavagada-Solar-Park-1536x1114.png 1536w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pavagada-Solar-Park-650x471.png 650w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pavagada-Solar-Park-624x452.png 624w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pavagada-Solar-Park-600x435.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1829px) 100vw, 1829px" /></a></strong></p>
<p><strong>#3 Kurnool Solar Park, Andhra Pradesh</strong></p>
<p>The 1 GW Kurnool Solar Park in Andhra Pradesh is the third-largest and was <a href="https://mercomindia.com/breaking-entire-1-gw-kurnool-solar-park-grid-synchronized-tomorrow/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">commissioned</a> in July 2017. The 1 GW capacity was auctioned by NTPC and winners included, Greenko, SBG Cleantech, Azure Power, and Adani.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kurnool-Solar-Park.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19962" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kurnool-Solar-Park.png" alt="Kurnool Solar Park" width="620" height="434" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kurnool-Solar-Park.png 620w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kurnool-Solar-Park-300x210.png 300w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kurnool-Solar-Park-600x420.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" /></a></strong></p>
<p><strong>#4 REWA Solar Park, Madhya Pradesh</strong></p>
<p>Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Park, with a capacity of 750 MW, was fully operational by July 2019. The REWA park, with its innovative power purchase agreements, demonstrated an excellent example of a <a href="https://mercomindia.com/new-record-low-solar-tariff-rs-3-30kwh-logged-rewa-solar-park-auction-madhya-pradesh-india/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">win-win</a> situation by removing developer risks by offering payment guarantees and deemed generation benefits in the park.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/REWA-Solar-Park.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19960" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/REWA-Solar-Park.png" alt="REWA Solar Park" width="622" height="424" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/REWA-Solar-Park.png 622w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/REWA-Solar-Park-300x205.png 300w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/REWA-Solar-Park-600x409.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 622px) 100vw, 622px" /></a></strong></p>
<p><strong>#5 Kamuthi Solar Park, Tamil Nadu</strong></p>
<p>With a capacity of <a href="https://mercomindia.com/adani-commissions-648-mw-solar-project-in-tamil-nadu-after-evacuation-delays/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">648 MW</a>, Kamuthi Solar Park was operational in 2016. The park project was executed by Adani, and it was commissioned in two parts – 360 MW was commissioned in March 2016, and the other 288 MW was connected in September 2016.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kamuthi-Solar-Park.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19963" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kamuthi-Solar-Park.png" alt="Kamuthi Solar Park" width="1790" height="1373" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kamuthi-Solar-Park.png 1790w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kamuthi-Solar-Park-300x230.png 300w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kamuthi-Solar-Park-1024x785.png 1024w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kamuthi-Solar-Park-768x589.png 768w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kamuthi-Solar-Park-1536x1178.png 1536w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kamuthi-Solar-Park-650x499.png 650w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kamuthi-Solar-Park-624x479.png 624w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kamuthi-Solar-Park-600x460.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1790px) 100vw, 1790px" /></a></p>
<p>For more details on individual projects, subscribe to Mercom’s most comprehensive and proprietary <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-project-tracker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">India Solar Project Tracker</a>.</p>
<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://cms.mercomindia.com/author/anjana/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Anjana Parikh</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><p><img class="alignleft" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Anjana2.png" width="112" height="121" />Anjana is a news editor at Mercom India. Before joining Mercom, she held roles of senior editor, district correspondent, and sub-editor for The Times of India, Biospectrum and The Sunday Guardian. Before that, she worked at the Deccan Herald and the Asianlite as chief sub-editor and news editor. She has also contributed to The Quint, Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express, Reader’s Digest (UK edition), IndiaSe (Singapore-based magazine) and Asiaville. Anjana holds a Master’s degree in Geography from North Bengal University, and a diploma in mass communication and journalism from Guru Ghasidas University, Bhopal.</p>
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Top 5 Operational Solar Parks in India [Infographics]

<p>Cumulative rooftop solar installations in India reached 4.6 GW as of Q1 2020. In the first quarter of 2020, India installed 194 MW of rooftop solar projects, a <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/q1-2020-india-solar-market-update/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">decline</a> of 36% as compared to 304 MW in the fourth quarter of 2019. In a year over year comparison, the installations decreased by 26%, compared to 263 MW installed in Q1 2019, according to Mercom India Research’s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/covid-19-disrupts-india-solar-installations-q1-2020/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Q1 2020 India Solar Market Update</a>.</p>
<p>The top 5 states for the rooftop solar account for over 50% of the installations in the country.</p>
<p>Here’s a quick look at the top states in the country for total rooftop solar installations:</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Gujarat.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19917" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Gujarat.png" alt="" width="2197" height="627" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Gujarat.png 2197w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Gujarat-300x86.png 300w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Gujarat-1024x292.png 1024w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Gujarat-768x219.png 768w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Gujarat-1536x438.png 1536w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Gujarat-2048x584.png 2048w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Gujarat-650x186.png 650w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Gujarat-624x178.png 624w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Gujarat-600x171.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 2197px) 100vw, 2197px" /></a></p>
<p>32% of <strong>Gujarat</strong>’s installed power capacity is from renewable sources as of March 2020. Solar specifically accounts for 9%. In the budget announcement for FY 2020-21, the state included a ₹9.12 billion (~$127.19 million) subsidy provision for rooftop solar projects. Gujarat is considered one of the best states for solar largely due to good credit ratings of power distribution companies and their ability to pay on time.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Rajasthan-1.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19918" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Rajasthan-1.png" alt="" width="2196" height="628" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Rajasthan-1.png 2196w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Rajasthan-1-300x86.png 300w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Rajasthan-1-1024x293.png 1024w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Rajasthan-1-768x220.png 768w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Rajasthan-1-1536x439.png 1536w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Rajasthan-1-2048x586.png 2048w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Rajasthan-1-650x186.png 650w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Rajasthan-1-624x178.png 624w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Rajasthan-1-600x172.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 2196px) 100vw, 2196px" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Rajasthan </strong>has the best solar irradiation to install solar. Solar contributes to 20% of the state’s total power capacity installed. Rajasthan’s Solar Energy Policy, 2019, <a href="https://mercomindia.com/rajasthan-solar-2025-policy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">aims</a> to install 30 GW of solar power by the financial year 2024-25. Of this, solar rooftop systems are expected to account for 1 GW.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/karnataka-1.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19919" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/karnataka-1.png" alt="" width="2196" height="627" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/karnataka-1.png 2196w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/karnataka-1-300x86.png 300w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/karnataka-1-1024x292.png 1024w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/karnataka-1-768x219.png 768w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/karnataka-1-1536x439.png 1536w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/karnataka-1-2048x585.png 2048w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/karnataka-1-650x186.png 650w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/karnataka-1-624x178.png 624w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/karnataka-1-600x171.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 2196px) 100vw, 2196px" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Karnataka</strong> is the top state for large-scale solar in the country. The state gets 63% of its installed power capacity from renewables, and 25% of this comes from solar. But the future of rooftop solar in the state looks bleak with unconducive policies <a href="https://mercomindia.com/karnataka-promotes-third-party-investment-rooftop-solar-projects/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">proposed</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Maharashtra.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19920" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Maharashtra.png" alt="" width="2197" height="628" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Maharashtra.png 2197w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Maharashtra-300x86.png 300w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Maharashtra-1024x293.png 1024w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Maharashtra-768x220.png 768w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Maharashtra-1536x439.png 1536w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Maharashtra-2048x585.png 2048w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Maharashtra-650x186.png 650w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Maharashtra-624x178.png 624w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Maharashtra-600x172.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 2197px) 100vw, 2197px" /></a></p>
<p>About 4% of the total installed power capacity in <strong>Maharashtra </strong>comes from solar. The state is heavily dependent on thermal power (63%).</p>
<p>The most disappointing developments in the rooftop segment in the past few months have been in Karnataka and Maharashtra as both states have introduced business models and charges to curb development in the rooftop segment.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Tamilnadu.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19921" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Tamilnadu.png" alt="" width="2197" height="628" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Tamilnadu.png 2197w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Tamilnadu-300x86.png 300w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Tamilnadu-1024x293.png 1024w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Tamilnadu-768x220.png 768w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Tamilnadu-1536x439.png 1536w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Tamilnadu-2048x585.png 2048w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Tamilnadu-650x186.png 650w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Tamilnadu-624x178.png 624w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Tamilnadu-600x172.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 2197px) 100vw, 2197px" /></a></p>
<p>As the country’s top wind power-rich state, half of <strong>Tamil Nadu’s</strong> installed power capacity is from renewable sources. The share of solar is 12%. In early 2019, the state <a href="https://mercomindia.com/tamil-nadu-solar-policy-9-gw/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">announced</a> it&#8217;s Solar Energy Policy 2019, targeting 9 GW of solar installations by 2023 between utility-scale and distributed generation projects. Of this, the state has targeted 40% (3.6 GW) of installations to come from the consumer category (residential rooftop and small-scale solar installations).</p>
<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://cms.mercomindia.com/author/rakesh-ranjan-parashar/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Rakesh Ranjan</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><div class="designboxt">
<p><img class="alignleft" style="border-radius: 50%;height: 50px;margin-top: -4px;border: 1px solid #00b451" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Rakesh-Headshot-crop-2.jpg" width="50" /></p>
<p><strong style="text-decoration: underline">Rakesh Ranjan,</strong> Staff reporter at Mercom India<br />
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/rakesh-ranjan-parashar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More articles from Rakesh Ranjan.</a></p>
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<p><img class="alignleft" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Rakesh-Headshot-crop-2.jpg" width="77" height="102" /><a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/rakesh-ranjan-parashar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong style="color: #00b451">Rakesh Ranjan</strong></a> is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Prior to joining Mercom, he worked in many roles as a business correspondent, assistant editor, senior content writer, and sub-editor with bcfocus.com, CIOReview/Silicon India, Verbinden Communication, and Bangalore Bias. Rakesh holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). <a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/rakesh-ranjan-parashar/" rel="noopener noreferrer">More articles from Rakesh Ranjan.</a></p>
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Top States for Rooftop Solar Installations [Infographics]

<p>During the first quarter of 2020, 886 MW of large-scale solar projects were installed in India, accounting for 82% of overall solar installations, according to Mercom India Research’s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/q1-2020-india-solar-market-update">Q1 2020 India Solar Market Update</a>.</p>
<p>According to the report, cumulative solar installations in the country reached 36.8 GW at the end of the quarter, with large-scale solar projects accounting for 32.2 GW or 88% off overall solar capacity.</p>
<p>Here is a quick look at the top five markets for large-scale solar installations:</p>
<p><strong>Karnataka:</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1-1.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-19865 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1-1.png" alt="Karnataka" width="2193" height="624" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1-1.png 2193w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1-1-300x85.png 300w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1-1-1024x291.png 1024w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1-1-768x219.png 768w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1-1-1536x437.png 1536w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1-1-2048x583.png 2048w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1-1-650x185.png 650w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1-1-624x178.png 624w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1-1-600x171.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 2193px) 100vw, 2193px" /></a></p>
<p>Karnataka topped the list with cumulative large-scale installations with about 7 GW, a 23% share of total installed large-scale solar capacity in the country. The state has been at the top of the list from December 2018 (Q4 2018). One of the largest solar parks in the country with 2,050 MW of projects is in <a href="https://mercomindia.com/karnatakas-pavagada-solar-operational/">operation</a> is in Karnataka, located at Pavagada.</p>
<p><strong>Rajasthan:</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2-1.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19867" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2-1.png" alt="Rajasthan" width="2193" height="624" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2-1.png 2193w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2-1-300x85.png 300w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2-1-1024x291.png 1024w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2-1-768x219.png 768w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2-1-1536x437.png 1536w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2-1-2048x583.png 2048w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2-1-650x185.png 650w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2-1-624x178.png 624w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2-1-600x171.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 2193px) 100vw, 2193px" /></a></p>
<p>Rajasthan overtook Telangana as the state with the second-largest installation of large-scale solar in Q2 2019 and has retained the spot ever since. Cumulative installations at the end of Q1 2020 stood at 4.8 GW, representing 15% of the total installed capacity in the country. The largest solar park in the world, with 2,245 MW of projects, is located at Bhadla district and <a href="https://mercomindia.com/world-largest-solar-park-bhadla/">contributes</a> to almost 50% of the state’s solar installations.</p>
<p><strong>Andhra Pradesh:</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3-1.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19868" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3-1.png" alt="Andhra Pradesh" width="2211" height="624" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3-1.png 2211w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3-1-300x85.png 300w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3-1-1024x289.png 1024w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3-1-768x217.png 768w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3-1-1536x433.png 1536w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3-1-2048x578.png 2048w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3-1-650x183.png 650w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3-1-624x176.png 624w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3-1-600x169.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 2211px) 100vw, 2211px" /></a></p>
<p>In Q1 2020, Andhra Pradesh moved to third on the list in terms of large-scale solar installations. Andhra Pradesh had 3.7 GW of cumulative large-scale solar installations at the end of the quarter, representing a 12% share of the overall capacity in the country. However, the state set a bad precedent by <a href="https://mercomindia.com/andhra-pradesh-solar-wind-ppa-bad-precedent/">opting</a> to review the power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed between the state’s electricity distribution companies and power generators to renegotiate tariffs.</p>
<p><strong>Tamil Nadu:</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/4-1.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19869" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/4-1.png" alt="Tamil Nadu" width="2211" height="624" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/4-1.png 2211w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/4-1-300x85.png 300w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/4-1-1024x289.png 1024w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/4-1-768x217.png 768w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/4-1-1536x433.png 1536w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/4-1-2048x578.png 2048w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/4-1-650x183.png 650w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/4-1-624x176.png 624w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/4-1-600x169.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 2211px) 100vw, 2211px" /></a></p>
<p>Tamil Nadu’s large-scale solar installations stood at 3.6 GW at the end of the quarter, accounting for 11% of the country’s overall large-scale project capacity. The state has been in the top five list for the last five quarters.</p>
<p><strong>Telangana:</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/5-1.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19870" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/5-1.png" alt="Telangana" width="2211" height="624" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/5-1.png 2211w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/5-1-300x85.png 300w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/5-1-1024x289.png 1024w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/5-1-768x217.png 768w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/5-1-1536x433.png 1536w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/5-1-2048x578.png 2048w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/5-1-650x183.png 650w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/5-1-624x176.png 624w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/5-1-600x169.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 2211px) 100vw, 2211px" /></a></p>
<p>The state of Telangana, previously a part of Andhra Pradesh, moved down a position from the last two quarters to fifth on the list in terms of large-scale solar installations. The state’s total installations stood at 3.5 GW or and 11% market share.</p>
<p>Currently, India’s large-scale solar project development pipeline stands at 36.9 GW, along with 38.8 GW of projects tendered and pending auction at the end of Q1 2020.</p>
<p>According to Mercom’s report, the average large-scale solar system cost <a href="https://mercomindia.com/average-large-scale-solar-system-cost-declined/">was</a> approximately ₹35 million (~$0.46 million) in Q1 2020, 12% lower compared to ₹40 million (~$0.53 million) during Q1 of 2019. Costs were down by 3% compared to Q4 2019.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Image credit: Hero Future Energies</p>
<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://cms.mercomindia.com/author/nithin-thomas-prasad/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Nithin Thomas</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><div class="designboxt">
<p><img class="alignleft" style="border-radius: 50%;height: 50px;margin-top: -4px;border: 1px solid #00b451" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Nithin-2-1.jpg" width="50" /></p>
<p><strong style="text-decoration: underline">Nithin Thomas,</strong> Staff reporter at Mercom India<br />
<a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/author/nithin-thomas-prasad/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More articles from Nithin Thomas.</a></p>
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<div class="authorboxn"><img class="alignleft" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Nithin-2-1.jpg" width="102" height="102" /><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/author/nithin-thomas-prasad/" rel="noopener">Nithin Thomas</a> is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Previously with Reuters News, he has covered oil, metals and agricultural commodity markets across global markets. He has also covered refinery and pipeline explosions, oil and gas leaks, Atlantic region hurricane developments, and other natural disasters. Nithin holds a Masters Degree in Applied Economics from Christ University, Bangalore and a Bachelor&#8217;s Degree in Commerce from Loyola College, Chennai.<a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/author/nithin-thomas-prasad/" rel="noopener">More articles from Nithin Thomas Prasad</a></div>
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Top Five States for Utility-Scale Solar Installations [Infographics]

<p>India’s solar industry is extremely price-sensitive, where the difference of a single penny can make a difference. Over 16 GW of solar projects were auctioned in 2019, and the lowest discovered tariff in these auctions was ₹2.48 (~$0.0329)/kWh a 1.6% increase compared to the lowest tariff in 2018 of ₹2.44 (~$0.0324)/kWh. Since the imposition of safeguard duty in July 2018, the lowest tariffs have trended upward.</p>
<p>Four bidders quoted the lowest tariff of 2019 in the first phase of the Solar Energy Corporation of India’s (SECI) 750 MW solar tender for projects in the state of Rajasthan.</p>
<p>The tender, originally <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-tenders-750mw-solar-rajasthan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">floated</a> in August 2018, was <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-750mw-solar-tender-oversubscribed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">oversubscribed</a> and received bids for over 2.3 GW from interested bidders. The upper tariff ceiling was ₹2.68 (~$0.0356)/kWh for this auction. This project received the two lowest bids during the year.</p>
<p>The <strong>lowest tariff</strong> of ₹2.48 (~$0.0329)/kWh was <a href="https://mercomindia.com/solar-auction-results-750-mw-rajasthan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">quoted</a> by Fortum Solar, Acme Solar, UPC Renewables, and LNB Group for this project. Fortum Solar and Acme Solar were awarded 250 MW of projects each, while UPC Renewables and LNB Group were awarded 100 MW and 40 MW, respectively.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Lowest-Solar-Tariff-in-2019.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19557" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Lowest-Solar-Tariff-in-2019.png" alt="Lowest Solar Tariff in 2019" width="315" height="126" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Lowest-Solar-Tariff-in-2019.png 315w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Lowest-Solar-Tariff-in-2019-300x120.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 315px) 100vw, 315px" /></a></p>
<p>In the same auction, ReNew power quoted the <strong>second-lowest</strong> tariff during the year at ₹2.49 (~$0.0331)/kWh to develop 360 MW. However, they were awarded only 110 MW due to the bucket-filling method applied to the awarded capacities in reverse auctions.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2nd-Lowest-Solar-Tariff-in-2019.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19556" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2nd-Lowest-Solar-Tariff-in-2019.png" alt="2nd Lowest Solar Tariff in 2019" width="313" height="128" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2nd-Lowest-Solar-Tariff-in-2019.png 313w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2nd-Lowest-Solar-Tariff-in-2019-300x123.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 313px) 100vw, 313px" /></a></p>
<p>The <strong>third lowest</strong> tariff of ₹2.50 (~$0.0332)/kWh was <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-750-solar-auction-rajasthan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">quoted</a> by Hero Future Energies, Mahindra Susten, and NTPC Limited under the second phase of SECI’s tender for 750 MW of solar projects in Rajasthan. The companies were awarded 250 MW, 200 MW, and 160 MW of projects, respectively.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3rd-Lowest-Solar-Tariff-in-2019.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19555" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3rd-Lowest-Solar-Tariff-in-2019.png" alt="3rd Lowest Solar Tariff in 2019" width="314" height="129" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3rd-Lowest-Solar-Tariff-in-2019.png 314w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3rd-Lowest-Solar-Tariff-in-2019-300x123.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 314px) 100vw, 314px" /></a></p>
<p>The <strong>fourth-lowest</strong> tariff during the year, ₹2.53 (~$0.0336)/kWh, was <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-auctions-solar-tender-lowest-tariff/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">discovered</a> during the auction for SECI’s tender for 1,200 MW of solar projects under interstate transmission system V (ISTS-V). GRT Jewellers won 150 MW of projects. In the same auction, 330 MW was allocated to SB Energy at a tariff of ₹2.65 (~$0.0352)/kWh. This tender had been <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-1-2-gw-solar-tender-undersubscribed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">undersubscribed</a> by 50%, receiving bids for only 600 MW of solar capacity. Developers had then told Mercom that most large players were struggling with cash flows, and the Andhra Pradesh fiasco also had hurt the developer sentiment. Most importantly, developers were unhappy with the tariff caps.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/4th-Lowest-Solar-Tariff-in-2019.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19554" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/4th-Lowest-Solar-Tariff-in-2019.png" alt="4th Lowest Solar Tariff in 2019" width="314" height="131" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/4th-Lowest-Solar-Tariff-in-2019.png 314w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/4th-Lowest-Solar-Tariff-in-2019-300x125.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 314px) 100vw, 314px" /></a></p>
<p>Finally, the <strong>fifth-lowest</strong> tariff of ₹2.54 (~$0.0337)/kWh was <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-auctions-solar-tender-lowest-tariff/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">quoted</a> during the auction of SECI’s 1.2 GW solar PV projects to be connected to the designated ISTS network in Madhya Pradesh (ISTS-VI). This price was quoted by Ayana Renewables, ReNew Power, Azure Power, and Mahindra Susten. The first three companies were awarded 300 MW each, while Mahindra won 250 MW of solar projects.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/5th-Lowest-Solar-Tariff-in-2019.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19553" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/5th-Lowest-Solar-Tariff-in-2019.png" alt="5th Lowest Solar Tariff in 2019" width="315" height="131" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/5th-Lowest-Solar-Tariff-in-2019.png 315w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/5th-Lowest-Solar-Tariff-in-2019-300x125.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 315px) 100vw, 315px" /></a></p>
<p>In 2018, over 13 GW of solar capacity was <a href="https://mercomindia.com/lowest-solar-tariffs-quoted-2018/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">auctioned</a> during the year with the lowest discovered tariff in these auctions recorded at ₹2.44 (~$0.0324)/kWh, which has quoted four times in 2018 and was the lowest solar tariff the country had seen since 2017.</p>
<p>Mercom has previously <a href="https://mercomindia.com/mnre-mulls-removal-tariff-caps-solar-wind/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reported</a> on how tariff caps have been slowing down auction activity in the sector. Developers have denied bidding at the tariff levels specified by state agencies instead of a market-based auction, where the lowest bid wins. This has been the reason for most tender deadlines to be extended or retendered after raising the upper tariff ceiling. This trend of tender extensions and retenders has also led to a delay in auction activity.</p>
<p>In March, the Ministry for New and Renewable Energy <a href="https://mercomindia.com/no-more-tariff-caps-solar-wind-tenders/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">said</a> that upper ceiling tariffs or tariff caps would no longer be prescribed in future bids.</p>
<p>For a complete analysis of tenders, auctions and tariffs subscribe to <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/q1-2020-india-solar-market-update/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mercom India Quarterly Update</a> report. To receive alerts for tenders and track every tender as it is announced, get <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-tender-tracker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker</a>.</p>
<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://cms.mercomindia.com/author/nithin-thomas-prasad/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Nithin Thomas</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><div class="designboxt">
<p><img class="alignleft" style="border-radius: 50%;height: 50px;margin-top: -4px;border: 1px solid #00b451" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Nithin-2-1.jpg" width="50" /></p>
<p><strong style="text-decoration: underline">Nithin Thomas,</strong> Staff reporter at Mercom India<br />
<a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/author/nithin-thomas-prasad/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More articles from Nithin Thomas.</a></p>
</div>
<div class="authorboxn"><img class="alignleft" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Nithin-2-1.jpg" width="102" height="102" /><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/author/nithin-thomas-prasad/" rel="noopener">Nithin Thomas</a> is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Previously with Reuters News, he has covered oil, metals and agricultural commodity markets across global markets. He has also covered refinery and pipeline explosions, oil and gas leaks, Atlantic region hurricane developments, and other natural disasters. Nithin holds a Masters Degree in Applied Economics from Christ University, Bangalore and a Bachelor&#8217;s Degree in Commerce from Loyola College, Chennai.<a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/author/nithin-thomas-prasad/" rel="noopener">More articles from Nithin Thomas Prasad</a></div>
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