India exceeded 9GW solar by end of 2016 - MNRE

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India had also reached 28,665MW of wind energy capacity on this date. Credit: Welspun

India reached 9,012MW of solar deployment as of 31 December 2016, according to new data from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

The figures were released in an agenda note ahead of a meeting between state principal secretaries and renewable energy nodal agencies this month in New Delhi.

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The top states with more than 500MW installed on this date were:

  • Tamil Nadu – 1,591
  • Rajasthan – 1,318
  • Gujarat – 1,159
  • Andhra Pradesh – 980
  • Telangana – 973
  • Madhya Pradesh – 840
  • Punjab – 545

MNRE figures also show that out of a target of 12GW in 2016/17 (year end 31 March), just 2,250MW had been commissioned up to 31 December 2016.

However, consultancy firm Bridge to India reported that India surpassed 10GW solar installations in November last year, while Mercom Capital Group put the figure at 9,018MW in mid-December 2016.

The ministry also revealed individual state solar Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) compliance data:

Indian state solar RPO compliance 2016/17. Credit: MNRE

As of 31 December 2016, India had also reached 28,665MW of wind energy capacity, led by Tamil Nadu (7,694MW), Maharashtra (4,666MW), Gujarat (4,442MW) and Rajasthan (4217MW).

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