Off-grid solar

With solar water pumps, farmers have access to high-quality power available for irrigation. These systems are portable and can be assembled at any preferred location. With the growing utilization of these systems, the costs have decreased substantially, making them an efficient, convenient, and cost-effective solution for grid-isolated rural areas. 

The nation reached a cumulative 151GW of renewable energy generation capacity – including large hydro – by December 31, although a large volume of off-grid equipment is not included in that figure.

The solar sector in India bounced back to make 2021 the best year in new PV capacity addition. The year also witnessed a massive response to PLI tender for solar manufacturing and launch of 50 GWh battery cell tender and green hydrogen mission.

The Chinese inverter maker has expanded its offerings in India beyond commercial and residential solar sector by launching 250 and 253 kW inverters for the utility segment. It also plans to bring its offgrid solutions to the Indian market in 2022.

Rajasthan (8,644 MW), Karnataka (7,483 MW), and Gujarat (6,052 MW) lead in solar installations.

The International Solar Alliance is an international intergovernmental treaty-based organization headquartered in India that aims to reduce the cost of solar technology and mobilize finance to accelerate solar adoption in its member countries. 

A robust distributed renewable energy ecosystem with a strong domestic industry will help provide good-quality, reliable electricity to rural households and enterprises and thus turbocharge green entrepreneurship—paving the way for a self-reliant India.

Installers have until September 23 to submit their bids to set up different capacities of off-grid solar plants in Bathinda city. Techno-commercial bids will open on September 24.

India will require large swaths of land for the huge expansion of renewable energy capacity over the coming decades. The energy transition requires planning for proper siting of these plants and solutions like agrivoltaics, distributed energy systems, and offshore wind to reduce land-use conflicts.

‘More than 90’ suppliers of appliances such as solar lanterns and home solar panels, as well as mini-grid installers, will be offered low-interest credit by an assortment of government-backed and privately-financed entities.