The state is eyeing the solar radiation potential in the region, that will help is power generation.
Punjab is the latest entrant in the solar energy sector in India. The solar power set-up currently includes Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Gujarat and with Punjab’s solar power tender, the state is looking to take advantage of the high potential of solar energy in the country.
The state has issued a fresh tender for installation of 300 MW of solar power capacity, similar to the above mentioned states. Punjab receives high solar radiation, making the region suitable for large-scale solar power infrastructure development.
Currently, the likes of Gujarat and Rajasthan manage over 90 per cent of India’s installed solar capacity. Both the states have been pioneers in development of solar power sector in India.
One could say that the size of the tender issued by Punjab is hardly anything to rave about but an effort taken in the right direction is something that the state could benefit from in the long-term. While states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, and southern states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh have vast areas of wasteland where large solar power projects can be installed, Punjab being an agricultural-based region, does not possess that much of wasteland.
Apart from installing solar power capacity, the state could look at canal-based solar tops similar to what Gujarat has applied and also the roof-top solar power plant initiative is something that anyone can afford.
