India generated approximately 27 billion units (BU) of solar power in the third quarter (Q3) of the calendar year (CY) 2023, up 19% year-over-year (YoY), according to the data published by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

The country’s solar power generation fell 12.1% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) after hitting a record high in Q2, as the seasonal monsoons dampened generation.

Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu recorded the highest solar power generation QoQ, with 9.5 BU, 3.4 BU, and 3.1 BU, respectively.

However, solar generation in the top three states fell 7.2%, 15.3%, and 10.7% QoQ.

The northern region generated the highest amount of solar power in the quarter, accounting for 43.4%, followed by the southern and western regions with 37.5% and 18%, respectively. The eastern and northeastern regions accounted for 0.9% and 0.3%.

In Q3 2023, 457.3 BU of power was generated in India, with 5.9% coming from solar. Thermal power remained the primary source, accounting for 70.4% of the total power generated during the period.

In the first nine months (9M) of 2023, about 86.77 BU of solar power was generated, up 23.5% YoY from 70.23 BU.

Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh were the top five states in 9M 2023, accounting for 75.2% of the total solar power generated.

Solar accounted for 16.4% of the overall power mix and 39.4% of the total installed renewable energy capacity at the end of Q3 2023, according to recent data from the CEA, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), and Mercom’s India Solar Project Tracker. The total renewable energy capacity stood at 177.1 GW, representing 41.8% of the overall power capacity mix.

The Ministry of Power (MoP) recently introduced new bidding guidelines for wind-solar hybrid projects to expedite renewable capacity addition and mitigate risks within the sector by establishing a structured framework for long-term hybrid power transactions.