Solar power procurement in a multi-policy framework
Student name: Ms Swati Thapar
Guide: Dr Arabinda Mishra
Year of completion: 2012
Host Organisation: TERI University
Abstract: Power generation from renewable energy sources is increasingly gaining attention in India, due to
the energy security and climate change concerns. Solar power, in particular has attracted the
governments attention more than the other renewable sources, mainly due its vast unexploited
potential for a tropical country like India, and the unfolding cost structure. The government has been
promoting it through the regulatory as well as the market-based instruments. The Gujarat Solar
Policy, the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), and the Renewable Energy
Certificate (REC) scheme currently account for more than 95% of the installed solar capacity in the
country. This study tries to study the policy designs of each of these solar power procurement
schemes, and understand their relevance and scope for a developing country setting. The study is a
policy and governance analysis carried out mostly through primary research. It is found that the
urgent need is to make the RPO fulfilment a necessary and strictly implemented regulation. As the
country has come a long way in almost two decades, its economy and the investors if the renewable
sector are equipped to drive the future renewable/ solar power generation in the country under the
framework of a tendering system and a tradable green certificate system. All the three policy designs
have features for a complimentary implementation in achieving increased renewable power
generation.
