India's Q1 solar capacity surges to 19% Y-o-Y

13 May 2024 CW Team

In the first quarter (Q1) of the calendar year (CY) 2024, solar power made up 18.5% of India's total installed power capacity and 42.9% of the installed renewable capacity, showing an increase from the previous year to 15.2% and 37.4% respectively.

According to data from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), and Mercom's India Solar Project Tracker, India's installed renewable energy capacity, which includes large hydro projects, was reported at 190.6 GW by the end of Q1 2024. This accounted for a 43.1% share of the overall power capacity mix.

The total renewable energy share in the power mix saw growth, reaching 179.5 GW by the end of CY23, representing 42% of the overall power capacity mix.

During the quarter, India produced approximately 32 BU of solar power.

By March 2024, large hydro constituted 10.6% and wind 10.4% of the country's overall installed power capacity.

Biomass and small hydro together accounted for 2.3% and 1.1%.

Regarding energy from conventional sources, the installed capacity as of March 2024 was reported at 251.4 GW, constituting 56.9% of all installations. This was a decrease from 58% in the previous quarter.

The breakdown of conventional power sources was as follows: coal-based thermal power accounted for 47.7%, gas for 5.7%, nuclear for 1.8%, lignite for 1.5%, and diesel for 0.13%.

Coal continued to be the primary power source, with thermal installations reaching nearly 211 GW by the end of March 2024, showing an increase from 207.8 GW in the previous quarter.

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