According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the solar energy capacity of the nation nearly doubled in a year, with the 2016-17 capacity expanding by a record 5,525.98 MW in comparison to a capacity expansion of 30,10 MW of solar capacity in 2015-2016. Whereas, at present, the cumulative solar capacity estimates to 12,288.83 MW in March 2017, against a 6,762.85 MW at the end of March 2016.
The MNRE led by the power, coal, renewable energy and mines minister Piyush Goyal had earlier set a cumulative target of 17,000 MW for the period ending fiscal 2016-17. While, the cumulative target for fiscal 2017-18 is set at 20,000 MW, driving the ministry to add 7,750 MW to its solar capacity in 2017-18.
Furthermore, the addition of 7,750 MW in 2017-18 will let the MNRE achieve the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) target two years prior to the scheduled time.
JNNSM target of achieving 20,000 MW of solar capacity by 2020 was hiked in 2014 by the PM Narendra Modi to towering 100,000 MW of solar power to be achieved by 2020.
Source:indiainfoline
