During the first quarter of 2020, 886 MW of large-scale solar projects were installed in India, accounting for 82% of overall solar installations, according to Mercom India Research’s Q1 2020 India Solar Market Update.

According to the report, cumulative solar installations in the country reached 36.8 GW at the end of the quarter, with large-scale solar projects accounting for 32.2 GW or 88% off overall solar capacity.

Here is a quick look at the top five markets for large-scale solar installations:

Karnataka:

Karnataka topped the list with cumulative large-scale installations with about 7 GW, a 23% share of total installed large-scale solar capacity in the country. The state has been at the top of the list from December 2018 (Q4 2018). One of the largest solar parks in the country with 2,050 MW of projects is in operation is in Karnataka, located at Pavagada.

Rajasthan:

Rajasthan overtook Telangana as the state with the second-largest installation of large-scale solar in Q2 2019 and has retained the spot ever since. Cumulative installations at the end of Q1 2020 stood at 4.8 GW, representing 15% of the total installed capacity in the country. The largest solar park in the world, with 2,245 MW of projects, is located at Bhadla district and contributes to almost 50% of the state’s solar installations.

Andhra Pradesh:

In Q1 2020, Andhra Pradesh moved to third on the list in terms of large-scale solar installations. Andhra Pradesh had 3.7 GW of cumulative large-scale solar installations at the end of the quarter, representing a 12% share of the overall capacity in the country. However, the state set a bad precedent by opting to review the power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed between the state’s electricity distribution companies and power generators to renegotiate tariffs.

Tamil Nadu:

Tamil Nadu’s large-scale solar installations stood at 3.6 GW at the end of the quarter, accounting for 11% of the country’s overall large-scale project capacity. The state has been in the top five list for the last five quarters.

Telangana:

The state of Telangana, previously a part of Andhra Pradesh, moved down a position from the last two quarters to fifth on the list in terms of large-scale solar installations. The state’s total installations stood at 3.5 GW or and 11% market share.

Currently, India’s large-scale solar project development pipeline stands at 36.9 GW, along with 38.8 GW of projects tendered and pending auction at the end of Q1 2020.

According to Mercom’s report, the average large-scale solar system cost was approximately ₹35 million (~$0.46 million) in Q1 2020, 12% lower compared to ₹40 million (~$0.53 million) during Q1 of 2019. Costs were down by 3% compared to Q4 2019.

 

Image credit: Hero Future Energies