Tamil targets 8.9 GW of solar with new policy

Tamil Nadu, in India, has issued a draft solar policy that puts the technology in the centre of the state’s sustainable development with a procurement target of 8.9 GW by 2022.

The draft Solar Energy Policy 2018 is open for comments by October 15, Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA), the state nodal agency for renewable energy, said last week. Under the plan, solar is envisaged to become a “mainstream energy source” in the state by 2022 through a range on incentive programmes for solar power generation, including in the agricultural sector, and photovoltaic (PV) equipment and batteries production.

The state’s goal is to have an installed solar power capacity of 8.9 GW by 2022, about 40% of which to come from “consumer-scale” projects. In line with the objective, all public buildings will be required to cover 30% of their electricity consumption with solar power by 2022, while state government departments will have to replace 10% of their existing vehicle fleet with solar-powered electric vehicles.

Solar energy is planned to be exempted from electricity tax, grid connectivity, open access, banking and cross-subsidy charges. The proposed policy will be applicable to solar PV and solar thermal projects and will be in force for five years, once finalised.

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