Initiatives of Gujarat to Harness Solar Energy

Gujarat is blessed with abundant solar radiation density i.e 5.5 to 6.00 kWh/sq.m./day with 330 sunny days / year and Gujarat have densest transmission network. The Government of Gujarat declared its “Solar Power Policy – 2009” with operative period upto 31-03-2014, with vision of positioning Gujarat state as the ‘Integrated Solar Generation Hub’ for the nation. The Solar Power Policy introduced for Transmission line of 66 kV and above by state utility, whereas, Renewable Purchase Obligation of 10 % from all renewable sources. The Tariff introduced for purchase of power through Solar Energy is;

	SPV Projects ( Rs./kWh)	Solar Thermal Projects ( Rs./kWh)
Projects commissioned before December 31, 2010	13.00 for first 12 years 3.00 form the 13th to 25th years	10.00 for first 12 years 3.00 form the 13th to 25th years
Projects commissioned before March, 2014	12.00 for first 12 years 3.00 form the 13th to 25th years	9.00 for first 12 years 3.00 form the 13th to 25th years

Ø     In concern to Solar Photovoltaic Technology, 26 companies signed MoU during VGGIS – 2009 for capacity of 1882 MW, and 9 companies issued EOI after VGGIS – 2009 for 1320 MW.

Ø     In concern to Solar Thermal Technology, 18 companies signed MoU during VGGIS – 2009 for capacity of 1645 MW, and 6 companies issued EOI after VGGIS – 2009 for 465 MW.

On 7th September 2009, The Government of Gujarat signed MoU with Clinton Climate Initiative for setting up of various size of large scale Solar Power Parks of total 3000 MW capacity to make Solar power competitive with conventional fossil fuels within the near future. The Government Identified large area of government waste land and assigned GPCL as a nodal agency for land allotment. The Government developed plan to strength the transmission network and infrastructure for power evacuation of large capacity solar power projects.

The Government wasteland identified in four major potential areas are;

1. Dist. Banaskantha, Taluka Vav,
   Village Radhanesda                       : 1,400 ha

2. Dist. Surendranagar, Taluka Mul,
    Village Kuntalpur                           : 5,200 ha

3. Dist. Kachchh, Taluka Bachau,
    Village Kakarva                               : 11,567 ha

4. Dist. Patan, Taluka Santalpur,
     Village Charanka                             : 2,500 ha

                                                  ------------------------

                                                   Total : 20,400 ha

 source:- http://mnre.gov.in/solar%20energy%20conclave%202010/solar-energy-conclave-2010-13.pdf