MNRE to introduce a policy for solar zones in June

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is gearing up to introduce a policy on solar Zone in June this year. The Solar Zone would be spread over one or more districts of a state.

Joint secretary of MNRE , Tarun Kapoor speaking to PTI said “We have been working on a new policy for solar zones, which would be spread over one or even more districts of a state to encourage generators as well as equipment manufacturers,” he further added “work on the policy is almost complete and it will be launched next month.“

The policy will provide inputs like availability of land and power evacuation location to the developers planning their project.

Unlike solar parks, developers have to acquire land for the project and the ministry in partnership with states will provide input about availability of land. However, they will be free to arrange land for their project as they would have options of either buying of getting land on lease..

In each solar zone Government would be developing transmission network for evacuation of power at different points to facilitate the developers. Each solar zone will have a central office, which will be built with support of state governments.

Government plans to add 10,500MW of solar power generation capacity during the current fiscal. Currently the solar module manufacturing capacity is 5GW every year. Similarly the solar cell manufacturing capacity is about 2GW.