Indian solar power capacity to rise 30%

Tamil Nadu to provide an additional 700 MW.

India's installed solar power capacity will jump 30% when the Tamil Nadu government signs power purchase agreements for 700 MW in October. The agreements will also give Tamil Nadu the second largest solar power capacity in India after Gujarat.

India has 1,759.43 MW of grid-connected solar power with 800MW coming from Gujarat. The projects are expected to be ready for commissioning next year. Tamil Nadu’s solar power policy aims at installing 3,000 MW of capacity by 2015.

A total of 52 companies will sign agreements with the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation for a capacity 698 MW at a tariff of 6.48 per unit (with a 5% increase annually for 10 years).

Solar power is the most expensive form of renewable energy and the continuing depreciation rupee has made it more expensive for companies importing high-end photovoltaic panels.