- The National Solar Mission, also referred to as the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), represents a collaborative effort between the Central and State Governments of India aimed at fostering the development of solar power within the country.
- As one of the eight climate missions outlined in the Indian government’s NAPCC (National Action Plan on Climate Change) mitigation strategy, the National Solar Mission was initially launched in January 2010 and has undergone two subsequent revisions.
- With an ambitious target of achieving 100 GW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity by 2022, the mission seeks to position India as a global leader in solar energy.
- By establishing a conducive policy framework to facilitate widespread deployment, the JNNSM aims to propel India’s prominence in solar energy initiatives on a global scale.
ITS – OBJECTIVES
Objectives of the National Solar Mission:
- Establishing India as a Global Leader: The primary objective of the National Solar Mission is to position India as a frontrunner in solar energy by creating a conducive political framework for the rapid adoption and dissemination of solar technology across the country.
- Phased Implementation Strategy: The mission adopts a phased approach, comprising three distinct phases. Phase 1 spans the final year of the 11th Plan and the initial year of the 12th Plan (up to 2012–2013), Phase 2 encompasses the subsequent four years of the 12th Plan (2013–17), and Phase 3 extends throughout the 13th Plan (2017–22).
- Periodic Evaluation and Review: Each phase involves comprehensive evaluations of progress, capacity assessment, and target setting for subsequent phases. These assessments are based on evolving cost and technology trends, both domestically and globally, conducted at the conclusion of each plan and mid-term during the 12th and 13th Plans.
- Mitigating Subsidy Risks: The mission aims to safeguard the government against potential subsidy costs by adjusting targets and strategies in response to variations in expected cost reductions or accelerated technological advancements.
- Phase 1 Focus: Until 2013, the initial phase concentrates on capturing immediate opportunities in solar thermal technologies, promoting the adoption of off-grid systems to cater to communities lacking access to conventional energy sources, and modestly expanding grid-based solar energy capacity.
- Aggressive Capacity Expansion: In the subsequent phase, the mission focuses on aggressively scaling up solar energy capacity to create conducive conditions for enhanced and competitive penetration of solar energy across the nation. This phase incorporates insights gained from the initial phase experiences to optimize deployment strategies and outcomes.
SALIENT FEATURES
Comprehensive Capacity Division: The ambitious target of achieving 100 gigawatts (GW) of solar power capacity is strategically divided into four distinct categories to ensure a comprehensive approach to solar energy generation:
a. Rooftop Solar Energy Generation: A significant portion of the target, comprising 40 GW, is allocated for rooftop solar energy generation. This initiative aims to leverage the vast untapped potential of rooftop spaces for solar panel installation, promoting decentralized energy generation and reducing dependency on centralized grid systems.
b. Large and Medium Scale Grid-Connected Projects: Another substantial portion, totaling 60 GW, is dedicated to large and medium scale grid-connected solar projects. These projects focus on harnessing solar energy through centralized solar farms and utility-scale installations, contributing to the overall energy mix and grid stability.
Solar Thermal Collector Area Targets:
The National Solar Mission sets ambitious targets for solar thermal technology, aiming to achieve 15 million square meters of solar thermal collector area by 2017 and further expanding it to 20 million square meters by 2022. This initiative emphasizes the utilization of solar thermal energy for various applications, including water heating and industrial processes, to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
Rural Solar Lighting Systems Deployment: To address energy access challenges in rural areas, the mission aims to deploy 20 million solar lighting systems by 2022. These solar lighting systems provide clean and sustainable lighting solutions to off-grid rural communities, thereby improving livelihoods, enhancing safety, and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
IMPLEMENTATIONS
Phase 1:
- The initial phase of the National Solar Mission aimed to achieve specific targets, including:
- Up to 1,000 megawatts (MW) of grid-connected solar plants.
- 100 MW of rooftop and small solar plants.
- 200 MW of off-grid solar applications.
- By March 2013, an approved budget of Rs. 4,337 crore was allocated for phase 1 activities.
- Implementation of the targets was carried out in accordance with established norms and guidelines. The execution of the first target involved the participation of NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd (NVVN), the trading subsidiary of NTPC Limited. NVVN directly procured solar power from project developers and subsequently sold it to various state utilities through different agreements.
- To ensure the successful execution of the mission, support activities such as human resource development, technical assistance, training, publicity, and awareness campaigns were undertaken.
Phase 2:
- Phase 2 of the National Solar Mission aimed to further expand solar power generation with a target of 10 GW of utility-scale solar projects.
- Under this phase, 4 GW of capacity was planned to be developed through the central scheme, while 6 GW would be implemented under various state-specific schemes.
- Several key areas were covered in phase 2, including:
- Scaling up grid-connected solar projects.
- Implementation of the Rooftop PV program.
- Development of Solar cities, targeting 60 cities for solar integration.
- Enhancing energy access in remote villages through solar solutions.
- Deployment of solar technologies for telecom towers, water pumps, heating systems, and cookers.
- Human resource development with a target of training 1 lakh specialized personnel.
- Establishment of solar parks with a capacity of 250 MW and covering an area of 600 hectares.
- Integration of hybrid solar systems to maximize energy efficiency and resilience.
FUNDINGS
Funding for the National Solar Mission:
- Total Cost: The estimated total cost for generating 100 gigawatts (GW) of solar power amounts to $94 billion.
- International Donors: Bilateral and international donors, including entities like the Green Climate Fund under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), are involved in supporting the initiative.
- Public Sector Investments: Significant investments are anticipated from large public sector entities to facilitate the implementation of the mission.
- Independent Power Producers: Funds are expected to be generated through independent power producers participating in solar power projects. Additionally, bundling mechanisms with thermal power projects will contribute to funding.
- Government Capital: The Indian government has allocated Rs. 15,050 crore as capital investment to promote the National Solar Mission.
- Cost Reduction Strategies: Long-term policy measures, ambitious deployment targets, and initiatives aimed at domestic production of critical raw materials, components, and products are planned to reduce the overall project cost. The objective is to achieve grid tariff parity by 2022.
BENEFITS
- Renewable Source: Solar energy is a truly renewable source of energy, as it relies on the sun, which is expected to remain available for at least 5 billion years according to scientists.
- Environmental Friendliness: Solar power generates minimal pollution compared to other energy sources like fossil fuels and wood, making it a green energy option.
- Low Maintenance Costs: Solar panels typically come with warranties of 20-25 years, resulting in lower maintenance costs. Routine cleaning a few times a year is usually sufficient to keep them operational.
- Reduction in Energy Bills: Generating electricity from solar energy means relying less on utility suppliers, leading to savings on energy bills and increased energy self-reliance for consumers.
- Improvement in Grid Security: A grid with a high penetration of solar energy is less vulnerable to blackouts, as it features numerous widely distributed energy production centers. This enhances grid security during overload situations, natural disasters, and human-caused emergencies.
- Reduced Dependency on LPG: By focusing on solar energy, the National Solar Mission reduces dependency on Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), promoting energy diversification and sustainability.
- Employment Generation: The National Solar Mission is expected to create significant employment opportunities for citizens, contributing to economic growth and job creation in the renewable energy sector.
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Establishment of Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI): SECI serves as a significant procurement agency, mitigating risks for solar power providers and facilitating the growth of the solar energy sector.
- Development of Integrated Solar Parks: Integrated solar parks have been established to provide essential infrastructure for solar power plants. These parks enable the creation of larger projects, thereby reducing capital investments required for solar power generation.
- Creation of Dedicated Transmission Grid: A dedicated transmission grid has been developed in regions with abundant sunlight or wind as part of the renewable energy corridor project. This grid facilitates the transmission of solar and wind energy, contributing to the integration of renewable energy sources into the power grid.
- Installation of Solar Radiation Monitoring Stations: Monitoring stations for solar radiation have been strategically installed across India to gather data and optimize the utilization of solar energy resources.
Significance of the National Solar Mission:
- Establishment of SECI: SECI plays a crucial role as a major procurement agency, supporting solar power producers and promoting investment in the solar energy sector.
- Improved Infrastructure for Solar Power Plants: The development of solar parks enhances the infrastructure available for solar power generation, fostering the growth of the sector and facilitating the implementation of large-scale projects.
- Reduction in Capital Investments: By enabling the establishment of larger solar projects, the National Solar Mission contributes to reducing capital investments required for solar power generation.
- Renewable Energy Corridor: The creation of a renewable energy corridor, including a dedicated transmission grid, enhances the integration of solar and wind energy into the power grid, promoting renewable energy deployment.
- Enhanced Monitoring of Solar Radiation: The installation of solar radiation monitoring stations enhances data collection and analysis, supporting efficient utilization of solar energy resources.
Challenges of the National Solar Mission:
- Poor Quality of Solar Photovoltaic Modules: The persistently poor quality of solar photovoltaic modules in India poses a challenge to the effective implementation of the National Solar Mission.
- Lack of Specific Allocation for Research and Development (R&D): Insufficient investment in technological R&D for the development of automated manufacturing facilities for solar PV modules hinders improvements in module quality and efficiency.
- Regulatory Delays in GST Pass-through: Regulatory delays in allowing the pass-through of the 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) affect developers’ ability to recover additional expenses related to safeguard duties on solar cells, creating uncertainty in the industry.
FAQs – National Solar Missions
Q1: What is the National Solar Mission in India?
A1: The National Solar Mission, also known as the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), is a comprehensive initiative by the Indian government to promote solar energy adoption and establish India as a global leader in solar power generation.
Q2: When was the National Solar Mission launched, and what are its key objectives?
A2: The mission was launched in January 2010 as part of India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). Its primary objectives include positioning India as a global leader in solar energy, adopting a phased implementation strategy, and mitigating subsidy risks.
Q3: How is the National Solar Mission implemented, and what are its phases?
A3: The mission follows a phased approach with three distinct phases. Phase 1 focused on immediate opportunities in solar thermal technologies and off-grid systems, while Phase 2 aimed at aggressively scaling up solar energy capacity. Phase 3 extends until 2022, with a target of achieving 100 GW of solar PV capacity.
Q4: What are the targets for solar power generation under the National Solar Mission?
A4: The mission targets 100 GW of solar PV capacity by 2022, with a significant portion allocated for rooftop solar energy generation and large-scale grid-connected projects.
Q5: How is the National Solar Mission funded, and what is the estimated cost?
A5: Funding comes from various sources, including international donors, public sector investments, and independent power producers. The estimated total cost for generating 100 GW of solar power is approximately $94 billion.
Q6: What strategies are in place to reduce the overall project cost of the National Solar Mission?
A6: Long-term policy measures, ambitious deployment targets, and initiatives to promote domestic production of critical raw materials aim to reduce project costs. The objective is to achieve grid tariff parity by 2022.
Q7: What are the benefits of solar energy adoption under the National Solar Mission?
A7: Solar energy is renewable, environmentally friendly, and leads to reduced energy bills for consumers. It also improves grid security, reduces dependency on LPG, creates employment opportunities, and contributes to economic growth.
Q8: What achievements have been made under the National Solar Mission?
A8: Achievements include the establishment of the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), development of integrated solar parks, creation of a dedicated transmission grid, installation of solar radiation monitoring stations, and significant progress in solar power generation capacity.
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