In the third quarter (Q3) of the calendar year 2024, solar power generation in India was approximately 32 billion units (BU), up 17.9% year-over-year (YoY). The country’s solar energy generation has steadily increased over the years, along with capacity additions.

In the first half (1H) of the calendar year 2024, solar projects totaling 14.9 GW were added in India, an increase of over 282% compared to 1H 2023, according to Mercom’s Q2 2024 India Solar Market Update report. The installations topped all previous half-yearly and annual installations.

The states with the most solar power generation were Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat. Rajasthan remained the leading state with solar power generation totaling 11.4 BU compared to 9.5 BU in Q2 2024. Tamil Nadu’s generation dropped to 3.9 BU compared to 4.8 BU in Q2 2024. However, the state ranked second for solar power generation in Q3 2024. Gujarat generated the third highest capacity with 4.1 BU compared to 3.7 BU in Q2 2024.

Solar generation in Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu was down by 10.2% and 18.5% QoQ, respectively, whereas in Gujarat, the generation rose by 10.9% QoQ.

The northern region generated the highest amount of solar power during the quarter, with 13.4 BU, accounting for 42.1%. The southern region followed with the generation of over 11 BU, and the western region witnessed the generation of almost 7 BU, accounting for 34.7% and 21.9%, respectively. The eastern and northeastern regions accounted for 1% and 0.3%, respectively, with solar power generation totaling 309.2 million units (MU) and 90.3 MU in the quarter.

Mercom forecasts 2024 to witness record solar capacity additions, which would likely increase solar power generation in the upcoming quarters.

With the increasing integration of solar and other intermittent renewable energy sources in India’s electricity grid, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) issued the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Deviation Settlement Mechanism and Related Matters) Regulations, 2024 to ensure grid security and stability.

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