Transforming India into a solar power

The document evaluates the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, launched in 2009 to make solar power affordable by 2022 and establish India as a global leader in solar energy. It highlights the success of competitive bidding in reducing tariffs but warns that a lack of expertise requirements attracted inexperienced developers, risking project defaults. The brief also notes that while off-grid subsidies exist, the market-based approach and high down payments limit access for the most energy-poor. It recommends integrating participatory models and strengthening environmental impact assessments to ensure long-term sustainability.

• The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission aims to install 20 GW of solar capacity by 2022 to achieve grid parity and establish India as a global leader in solar power and manufacturing.
• Competitive bidding has successfully lowered solar tariffs, but the absence of strict expertise requirements led to contracts being awarded to inexperienced firms, such as an animation company and a woollen yarn maker, increasing the risk of low-quality installations.
• The Mission's off-grid programme, which provides capital subsidies of 30–90% and interest-bearing loans, has struggled to reach the most energy-poor due to required down payments and a lack of flexible, tailored application designs.
• Current financing for off-grid projects relies heavily on banks, which often avoid risky small-scale loans; the document suggests that engaging NGOs and community groups through participatory models would improve access and sustainability.
• India is promoting domestic manufacturing by requiring locally-sourced components and offering zero import duties on capital equipment, though these requirements are currently disputed as potential violations of World Trade Organization obligations.
• The Indian government has streamlined solar project implementation by confirming that environmental impact assessments are not required, which the document argues ignores risks related to land use, water use, and hazardous materials.

APA

Saito, Y. (2011). Transforming India into a solar power. Climate and Development Knowledge Network. http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/India-InsideStory_cbc_LR21.pdf

Chicago

Saito, Yolanda. Transforming India into a solar power. Climate and Development Knowledge Network, 2011. http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/India-InsideStory_cbc_LR21.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Saito |first1=Yolanda |title=Transforming India into a solar power |publisher=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |date=November 2011 |url=http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/India-InsideStory_cbc_LR21.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{saito2011transforming, author = {Saito, Yolanda}, title = {{Transforming India into a solar power}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2011}, month = nov, url = {http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/India-InsideStory_cbc_LR21.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }