Here is a renewable energy policy roundup from central, state and government agencies in India for the month of February 2017.

• Solar Park Capacity Doubled to 40 GW

The increase in installed capacity of solar parks from 20 GW to 40 GW has been approved by the cabinet committee on economic affairs. By 2019-2020, 50 solar parks with a capacity of 500 MW or above are expected to be constructed.

• Sikkim Joins UDAY Program

Sikkim became the 22^nd state/union territory to join Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana. The state is expected to derive a net benefit of ~Rs.2.07 billion (~$31.01 million) by joining the program.

• Jammu & Kashmir Cabinet Approves Draft Solar Rooftop Policy

The state cabinet of Jammu & Kashmir has approved the draft solar rooftop policy 2016, under which solar rooftop projects aggregating 450 MW will be installed in the state by 2022.

• CERC Released Draft Renewable Energy Tariff Regulations for 2017-2020

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) released draft tariff regulations for the three-year period 2017-2020.

• MNRE Proposes Reduction of Minimum Project Size to 5 MW Under VGF Program

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has proposed reducing the minimum project size under the viability gap funding (VGF) program to 5 MW for special category states and union territories.

• TNERC Proposes New Solar Tariff for FY 2017-18

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) has proposed a new benchmark solar tariff of Rs.4.50 (~$0.0673)/kWh with accelerated depreciation and a tariff of Rs.4.41 (~$0.0659)/kWh without accelerated depreciation for FY 2017-18. The proposal is open for comments and suggestions up to March 15, 2017.

• MNRE Reduces Solar Tariff for Defense VGF Program to Rs.4.50 (~$0.06735)/kWh

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has reduced the solar tariff under the Defense Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Program to Rs.4.50 (~$0.06735)/kWh from the previous Rs.5.50 (~$0.8232)/kWh.