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Solar park

India’s National Solar Mission has the target of producing 20GW by the end of 2020. The mission was launched in 2010. Our country’s biggest solar power plants are located in Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Know all special facts about these solar power plants in the article below.

TULIKA TANDONU

Solar Power Plant

India ranks third in Asia and fourth in the world in terms of solar power production. National Solar Mission was launched in  India  in 2010 . The target set was to develop 20GW by the end of 2020. This has however been crossed long back as there has been heavy activity in this sector since then. Now the Government of India aims to extend the utilization of solar energy upto 100 GW by 2022.   

Right now, the country is only using 38% of its total capacity of renewable energy. Also, the world’s largest solar park would be constructed in Rajasthan.

Some of the country’s biggest solar power plants are located in  Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Also read| Largest Solar Power Plant in India: Know about Bhadla Park Solar here

List of Solar Power Plants in India 

Listed below are the Solar Power Plants on the basis of the power generated by them. The biggest solar power plant in India at present in term of power generation is Badhla Solar Park. Go through the list below. Also Read| Can China actually make an artificial sun? Check here

1. Bhadla Solar Park, Rajasthan

Location: Jodhpur district of Rajasthan

Power Generation: 2055 MW

Area of Park: 14000 acres

It is the world’s biggest solar park in terms of power generation and second largest in terms of area. The average temperatures in Bhadla range between 46 and 48 degrees centigrades. The geography is quite against the solar plant as hot winds and sand storms cover the place frequently. Bhadla is a sandy, dry and arid region spread in about 45 square kilometres. The average money spent in the plant is around 10,000 crore. 

This Solar plant is under development by multiple stakeholders. Development Company Limited (a subsidiary of Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Limited), Saurya Urja Company (joint venture company of the government of Rajasthan and IL&FS Energy Development Company), and Adani Renewable Energy Park Rajasthan are responsible for its construction and maintenance. 

2. Pavagada Solar Park

Location: Palavalli, Karnataka

Power Generation: 2000MW

Area of Park: 13000 acres

This solar park is located in Karnataka which is estimated to be hosting many solar plants due to its highly supportive geography. It has become operational since last year and is the second biggest solar power parks in the world in terms of energy. Shakti Sthala Pavagada Solar Park in Karnataka is one of the world’s biggest solar parks in the country.

This solar park is developed by the Karnataka Solar Park Development Corporation Limited (KSPDCL) which is a joint venture between the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and the Karnataka Renewable Energy (KREDL), with help from the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) 

3. Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park, Andhra Pradesh

Location: Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh

Power Generation: 1000 MW

Area of Park: 5932 acres

Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park is spread over 5,932.32 acres of area in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh and is one of the world’s largest solar park at the time. This plant was set up within two years by Andhra Pradesh Solar Power Corporation jointly with Solar Energy Corporation, Andhra Pradesh Generation Corporation and New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation using INR 7,143 crore.

A 1,500MW solar park is also set to become operational in the nearby district of Kadapa, which is accompanied by two more large-scale solar power plants. It would be helpful in raising the state’s solar energy capacity by an additional 2,750MW.

4. NP Kunta Ultra Mega Solar Park

Location: Anathapuram, Andhra Pradesh

Power Generation: 1500 MW 

Area of  Park: 7924 acres

This solar park is also known as Ananthapuram Ultra Mega Solar Park is spread over a total area of 7,924.76 acres in Nambulapulakunta Mandal in the Ananthapur district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Commissioned in May 2016, this park is owned by Andhra Pradesh Solar Power Corporation Private Limited, APSPCL.

This park is divided into two parts Anathapuram 1 and Anathpuram 2. The former would be generating 1500 MW while the latter would be responsible for 500 MW power generation.

5. Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Plant

Location: Rewa, Madhya Pradesh

Power Generation: 750 MW

Area of Park: 1590 acres

Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited (RUMSL), is the agency responsible for the implementation of the project. It is a joint venture between the Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikash Nigam Limited (MPUVNL) and the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).

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This is India’s first and only solar project till date that has been funded from the Clean Technology Fund, CTF. It is also India’s only solar power plant to have obtained a concessional loan from the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation. With an investment of Rs. 2,800 crore, the commissioning of this plant reportedly saved Delhi Metro Rs 1,400 crore over its project life.

The solar parks listed above were the most important five solar parks of India on the basis of their power generation capacity. Listed below are the parks that are already commissioned or would be commissioned in the coming years. 

Other Solar Plants in India

Listed below are the Solar Power Plants in India along with the location, capacity an