India’s solar capacity expands by record 5,525.98 MW, doubling growth
In the last year, 2016-17, the country’s solar energy capacity expanded by a record 5,525.98 MW. According to reports released by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy ( MNRE ), India had added 3,010 MW in the previous year, thus translating to an almost doubling of growth in the past year. Image : National Geographic Cumulative solar capacity currently stands at 12,288.83 MW, against 6,762.85 MW at the end of March 2016, says an ET report. Renewable Energy and Mines Minister Piyush Goyal was visibly satisfied that the growth is impressive, even if it falls short of the target. Santosh Vaidya, Joint Secretary at the MNRE , said, By the end of next year, our minister has committed to a cumulative target of 20,000 MW. This would mean adding another 7,750 MW in 2017-18. Once we do so, we will have reached the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) target two years in advance. The cumulative target the MNRE had set earlier was 17,000 MW by the end of 2016-17.