New Delhi: In the realm of solar energy, Rajasthan leads in India for its solar power generation, followed by Gujarat and Karnataka during the fiscal year 2022-23.

The state boasts a cumulative solar power capacity of 4552.12 MW, contributing to the production of 8,140.72 million units of solar power. The figures were released by Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, RK Singh, in response to a query in Rajya Sabha.

The minister said that the cumulative solar power capacity across the country has reached an impressive 70,096 MW as of June 31. This capacity facilitated the generation of a total of 1,02,014.23 million units of solar power during the same fiscal year.

Among the states, Rajasthan leads in solar power capacity with 17,839.98 MW, followed by Gujarat with 10,133.66 MW, Karnataka with 9,050 MW, Tamil Nadu with 6,892.81 MW, Maharashtra with 4,870.64 MW, and Telangana with 4,695.21 MW.

Andhra Pradesh stands at the seventh position with its 4,552.12 MW of solar capacity. In terms of power generation, Rajasthan leads with 34,474.42 million units, followed by Karnataka with 14,153.79 million units, Gujarat with 10,335.32 million units, and Tamil Nadu with 9,419.39 million units.

Addressing the question of whether India has fully harnessed its solar energy potential, the minister acknowledged that the country's solar power potential stands at a staggering 7,48,990 MW. Hence, there remains considerable untapped potential. The government is actively working to unlock this potential through various schemes and initiatives.

The minister further elaborated on the measures taken to tap into the nation's solar power potential. These include allowing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of up to 100 percent through the automatic route, exempting Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for the interstate sale of solar and wind power for projects scheduled to be commissioned by June 2025, setting Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) trajectory up to 2029-30, developing new transmission lines, and establishing new sub-station capacity under the Green Energy Corridor scheme to facilitate the evacuation of renewable power.

As for future plans to establish more commercial solar power plants in the country, the minister highlighted that these projects are primarily developed through private investments by project developers chosen through tariff-based competitive bidding. /BI/