It has been reported that India expects to have 10 gigawatts (GW) of solar power capacity by 2017, as the industry grows quicker than predicted.??
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy plans to award permits for as much as 10,000 megawatts (MW) of grid-connected solar plants by 2017, up from its initial target of 4000 MW.??
“Based on present trends, 10,000 MW is achievable,” said Bharat Bhargava, a Director at the Ministry.
India’s total solar installations reached 125 MW as of the end of October 2011, which is more than double the 50 MW in June 2010. ??The ministry has received 218 applications seeking to build 2500 MW of solar plants, despite only awarding 350 MW in the second auction. Winners of that round will sign power purchase agreements by 31st December 2011 and complete the plants by January 2013.