In Short : The surge in rooftop solar adoption is contributing to the growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) in smaller cities in India. This trend suggests a positive correlation between decentralized renewable energy generation and the adoption of clean transportation. Rooftop solar can potentially power EV charging infrastructure, fostering a more sustainable and integrated energy ecosystem in urban areas.
In Detail : The push given to rooftop solar installation in the Interim Budget ties in with its high rate of adoption in Tier-II and -III cities of India.
If original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the automobile industry, government, and the solar sector are to be believed, in cities of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Kerala, 45-50 per cent of electric-vehicle (EV) users are employing rooftop power to charge their vehicles.
This is compared to the national average of 25 per cent, say sources. And the Interim Budget is going to be a catalyst this. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced 10 million households would get up to 300 units of free electricity every month under the Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana, with an outlay of 10,000 crore. A report by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water says India has installed 11 Gw of rooftop solar capacity. Of that, only 2.7 Gw is in the residential sector.
“Gujarat and Rajasthan are significant states in terms of EV adoption. These are value-con(TPEML). “These two states have realised it early. Similarly in Kerala, solar adoption is very high. The renewable mix needs to increase in EV-charging infrastructure,” he added.
