The total capacity of solar power plants has crossed the 3,000-MW mark, with 734 MW added so far this year, says a report of Mercom Capital Group, a clean energy consultancy.

Mercom expects 800 MW of installations this year, 20 per cent lower than the previous year.

However, the consultancy has projected that 2015 will see an addition of 1,800 MW of solar capacity.

New installations

Industry watchers have observed that there will be an upswing in installations in the next few years as there have been several projects undertaken through recent State programmes. Since last month-end, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana have concluded their own bidding processes and are getting ready to sign power purchase agreements for 1,500 MW.

Second draft guidelines

Meanwhile, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has announced its second draft guidelines for its next project-award round, where the targets have been doubled to 3,000 MW.

Mercom’s figures speak of the large (utility scale) projects. Another consultancy firm, Bridge To India, recently said in its report that the country has 285 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar power plants.

That would put the total solar capacity in the State at 3,300 MW, not counting the non-grid connected solar power plants, and other solar-based applications such as solar water pumps, industrial heating systems and residential and industrial water heating systems.

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