Haryana has set an ambitious target of increasing its solar energy capacity by 22 times, aiming to install 6,000 MW of solar power by 2030, according to its new draft solar policy. Currently, the state’s installed solar capacity stands at 265.8 MW. The new policy places a strong emphasis on rooftop installations, ground-mounted solar plants, and the development of solar-powered EV charging stations.
To achieve this goal, the Haryana renewable energy department has devised a series of strategies, including generating 1,600 MW of solar power from rooftop installations, 3,200 MW from ground-mounted solar plants, and an additional 1,200 MW from solarising irrigation pumps.
Furthermore, the policy allows the department to lease panchayat land for 30 years, with the Haryana power generation corporation serving as the nodal agency for establishing solar projects on such land. Collaborations with the Haryana irrigation department will identify suitable locations with shade-free space on canal banks, promoting large-scale solar projects on canal tops, riverbanks, and other water bodies.
The new policy ensures no restrictions on the installation of solar power plants for self-consumption by entities. Both net metering and gross metering arrangements are included, with limitations on the rated capacity of rooftop solar systems based on connected load or contract demand.
S. Narayana, the director general of the state’s renewable energy department, revealed that discoms have already made tie-ups to meet 43.33% of the renewable purchase obligations (RPO) of 2029-30 by 2028-29. Tenders for 500 MW solar power projects and 1,200 MW solar projects in Haryana are being floated. Additionally, the department has initiated the process for inviting tenders for 800 MW solar power in round-the-clock (RTC) mode through SECI, with a ceiling tariff of Rs 4.6 per unit.
The focus is also on encouraging independent power producers to set up rooftop systems ranging from 250 kW to 1 MW on public and private buildings. Currently, Haryana’s solar share in the energy mix within the state is 8.6%.
Furthermore, the state aims to integrate solar power projects with other renewable resources, such as hybrid projects, and enhance government subsidies on storage systems for utility-scale solar power projects supplying power to discoms.
The plan also includes installing around 1 lakh systems in the domestic sector, adding approximately 1,000 MW capacity. The state is exploring the use of a virtual metering system for easy billing, especially in cities where rooftop solar mechanisms face challenges.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s new solar policy also targets 6,000 MW of installed solar capacity by 2025, aiming to increase the share of solar energy in Delhi’s annual electricity demand from 9% to 25% in three years.
