Renewable Energy & Solar Missions GK Questions & Answers
India’s renewable energy transition represents one of the most ambitious clean power transformations in the global South, anchored in the national target to establish 500 GW of non-fossil electricity generation capacity by 2030 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 (as pledged under the Panchamrit goals at COP26). Originating with the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) launched in January 2010 under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), India has scaled up utility-grade and decentralized solar, wind, biomass, and small hydro capacity. Flagship policy interventions administered by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), and the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) include the Scheme for Development of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks (such as the Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan and Pavagada Solar Park in Karnataka), the PM-KUSUM scheme for agricultural solar pump de-dieselization, the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana for rooftop solarisation, and the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
High-yield conceptual summaries for competitive exams and rapid revision.
India has committed to achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030 and Net Zero emissions by 2070 (Panchamrit targets).
The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) was launched in 2010 under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
Bhadla Solar Park in Jodhpur district, Rajasthan, is one of the largest operational solar parks in the world with over 2,245 MW capacity.
The PM-KUSUM scheme aims to provide energy security to farmers by installing standalone solar pumps and grid-connected solar power plants.
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was jointly launched by India and France at COP21 in Paris (2015), headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana.
Showing 25 Curated Questions668 Total in Bank
1ID: GK-ENRG-00064
hardNational Electricity Grid, POSOCO & Power Policy
What regulatory mandate obligates power distribution licensees, open-access consumers, and captive power producers to purchase a minimum percentage of their electricity from renewable energy sources?
Verified Explanation
Under the Electricity Act 2003 and trajectories notified by the Ministry of Power, Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO) and Energy Storage Obligations (ESO) require obligated entities to procure defined percentages of clean electricity.
2ID: GK-ENRG-00072
easySolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
Under the PM-KUSUM scheme implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, what is the specific objective of Component-A?
Verified Explanation
PM-KUSUM consists of three components: Component-A targets setting up 10,000 MW of decentralized ground/stilt-mounted grid-connected solar or other renewable energy-based power plants (up to 2 MW capacity) by individual farmers, cooperatives, or panchayats. Component-B covers standalone solar pumps, and Component-C covers the solarisation of existing grid-connected agricultural pumps.
3ID: GK-ENRG-00075
easySolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
Which specialized Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) under MNRE, conferred with 'Navratna' status in 2024, is India's dedicated public financing agency for renewable energy projects?
Verified Explanation
The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) is a specialized Public Financial Institution established in 1987 under the administrative control of MNRE. In April 2024, the Department of Public Enterprises elevated IREDA to 'Navratna' CPSE status, providing it greater financial autonomy to fund green energy projects.
4ID: GK-ENRG-00119
mediumNational Electricity Grid, POSOCO & Power Policy
What specialized market segment on Indian power exchanges allows renewable energy generators to sell green power on a day-ahead basis alongside conventional electricity with separate price discovery?
Verified Explanation
The Green Day-Ahead Market (G-DAM) was launched in October 2021 on Indian power exchanges to provide open-market access to renewable energy generators. It operates with integrated double-sided closed auctions where green energy bids are cleared first, allowing DISCOMs to procure green power to meet their Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO).
5ID: GK-ENRG-00123
mediumNational Electricity Grid, POSOCO & Power Policy
In the Indian renewable energy regulatory market, what does one Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) issued to green generators represent?
Verified Explanation
A Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) is a market-based instrument where 1 REC represents the environmental attribute of 1 Megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity generated from an approved renewable energy source. RECs are traded on power exchanges by obligated entities (DISCOMs and open access consumers) to meet their RPO compliance.
6ID: GK-ENRG-00260
easySolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
Which Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) under MNRE serves as the primary implementation agency for conducting renewable energy tenders and auctions in India?
Verified Explanation
Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), established in 2011, is a Navratna CPSU dedicated exclusively to renewable energy development. SECI conducts competitive reverse auctions, issues national tenders for solar, wind, and hybrid projects, and serves as an intermediary power procurer.
7ID: GK-ENRG-00266
easySolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
Under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy guidelines, what is the minimum installed generation capacity required for an individual park under the Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks (UMREPP) scheme?
Verified Explanation
The UMREPP scheme targets large-scale grid integration by developing specialized renewable energy parks. Under MNRE guidelines, an Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Park must have a minimum generation capacity of 500 MW (which can be scaled up to several gigawatts) to exploit economies of scale in shared infrastructure.
8ID: GK-ENRG-00027
hardSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
What is the standard minimum continuous power generation capacity required for a development site to be approved under the Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks (UMREPP) scheme?
Verified Explanation
Under MNRE's UMREPP scheme guidelines, solar and hybrid renewable energy parks must have a minimum capacity of 500 MW in standard terrain, with lower capacity thresholds permitted in hilly, northeastern, and island regions.
9ID: GK-ENRG-00566
hardSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Initiatives
Under Mode-8 of the Scheme for Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects, which specific entities are eligible to develop Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks (UMREPPs)?
Verified Explanation
Under Mode-8 of the MNRE Solar Park Scheme, CPSUs (such as NTPC, SECI, SJVN, NHPC) individually or via Joint Ventures with State Government entities/agencies are authorized to set up Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks (UMREPPs) to accelerate large-scale solar and hybrid park execution.
10ID: GK-ENRG-00195
easySolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
The Green Energy Corridor Phase-II Inter-State Transmission System project approved by the Union Cabinet in October 2023 aims to evacuate 13 GW of renewable power from which high-altitude region to Kaithal in Haryana?
Verified Explanation
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the project on Green Energy Corridor Phase-II Inter-State Transmission System for a 13 GW renewable energy project in Ladakh. The transmission line runs from Pang in Ladakh through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab up to Kaithal in Haryana, incorporating Voltage Source Converter-based HVDC systems.
11ID: GK-ENRG-00367
mediumNational Electricity Grid & Power Transmission
What statutory requirement mandates power distribution companies (DISCOMs) and captive power users to purchase a specified minimum percentage of their total electricity from renewable energy sources?
Verified Explanation
Under the Electricity Act 2003 and Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act 2022, Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO) obligate obligated entities to consume fixed quotas of solar, wind, hydro, and other clean power, trajectory defined up to 2029-2030.
12ID: GK-ENRG-00017
easySolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
Which autonomous institution under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), located in Chennai, serves as the premier technical focal point for wind resource assessment in India?
Verified Explanation
The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), situated in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, is the premier autonomous R&D institution under MNRE responsible for wind resource monitoring, offshore wind studies, and turbine testing/certification.
13ID: GK-ENRG-00088
hardSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
According to resource assessment studies by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, which coastal gulf region in India possesses the country's highest tidal power potential of approximately 7,000 MW?
Verified Explanation
India has an estimated tidal energy potential of around 12,455 MW, with the Gulf of Khambhat (Cambay) in Gujarat possessing the highest concentration (~7,000 MW), followed by the Gulf of Kutch (~1,200 MW) and the Gangetic delta in the Sundarbans (~100 MW), owing to large tidal ranges exceeding 8 to 11 metres.
14ID: GK-ENRG-00115
easyNational Electricity Grid, POSOCO & Power Policy
Under the Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy Through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2022, what was the reduced sanctioned connected load threshold for consumers to access green open access?
Verified Explanation
The Ministry of Power notified the Green Energy Open Access Rules in June 2022, drastically lowering the transaction limit for green power open access from 1 MW (1,000 kW) down to 100 kW (with no load limit for captive consumers), enabling small commercial and industrial electricity consumers to purchase green energy directly from generators.
15ID: GK-ENRG-00133
easySolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
Which premier autonomous research institute under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is located in Chennai and serves as the technical focal point for wind resource assessment in India?
Verified Explanation
The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), formerly known as the Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET), is an autonomous R&D institution situated at Velachery-Tambaram Main Road, Pallikaranai, Chennai. It conducts nationwide wind and solar resource assessments, turbine testing, and certification.
16ID: GK-ENRG-00554
easySolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Initiatives
Which autonomous institution under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, headquartered in Chennai, serves as the apex technical body for wind resource assessment and turbine testing in India?
Verified Explanation
The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), formerly the Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET), is an autonomous R&D institution under the MNRE based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It conducts comprehensive wind resource assessments, offshore wind profiling, and turbine type certification.
17ID: GK-ENRG-00141
mediumSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
Under the Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy Through Green Energy Open Access) Rules 2022, what was the revised limit for green energy open access transaction eligibility for consumers?
Verified Explanation
To encourage smaller commercial and industrial consumers to purchase green power directly, the Ministry of Power amended the rules in June 2022, slashing the transaction limit for Open Access for green power from 1 MW to 100 kW, with no limit for captive consumers.
18ID: GK-ENRG-00193
easySolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
Where is the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), the autonomous apex research and development institution under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, located?
Verified Explanation
The National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) is located at Gwal Pahari on the Gurugram-Faridabad Road in Gurugram, Haryana. Converted from the former Solar Energy Centre (SEC), it serves as the premier national institute for solar photovoltaic testing, standardisation, and R&D in India.
19ID: GK-ENRG-00254
hardSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
Which autonomous institute under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is responsible for assessing offshore wind potential and deploying LiDAR buoys off the coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu?
Verified Explanation
The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), located in Chennai, is the nodal agency for assessing wind resources and facilitating offshore wind projects in India. NIWE has installed offshore Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) units in the Gulf of Khambhat and the Gulf of Mannar to gather high-precision wind data.
20ID: GK-ENRG-00012
easySolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
Under the PM-KUSUM scheme launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, what is the core focus of Component-B?
Verified Explanation
Component-B of the PM-KUSUM scheme supports individual farmers to install standalone solar agricultural pumps to replace diesel pumps in off-grid areas. Component-A focuses on small solar plants on barren land, while Component-C focuses on solarisation of existing grid-connected agricultural pumps.
21ID: GK-ENRG-00019
mediumSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
Under the national Green Hydrogen Standard notified by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in August 2023, what is the maximum permissible well-to-gate carbon emission threshold?
Verified Explanation
MNRE defined Green Hydrogen as having well-to-gate emissions (including water treatment, electrolysis, gas purification, and compression) not exceeding 2 kg CO2 equivalent per kilogram of H2, averaged over a 12-month operating period.
22ID: GK-ENRG-00024
mediumSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
What is the primary regulatory objective of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) enforced by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy?
Verified Explanation
The ALMM order requires that solar PV projects sponsored by the government, participating in net metering, or supplying to DISCOMs must source PV modules (and cells) exclusively from manufacturers and models enlisted and inspected by MNRE.
23ID: GK-ENRG-00082
mediumSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
What is the primary objective of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for High Efficiency Solar PV Modules implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy?
Verified Explanation
The National Programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules (PLI Scheme) with a financial outlay of Rs 24,000 crore aims to establish integrated domestic manufacturing facilities covering the entire supply chain from raw Polysilicon to Ingots, Wafers, Solar Cells, and Modules, thereby cutting import dependence.
24ID: GK-ENRG-00122
mediumNational Electricity Grid, POSOCO & Power Policy
To accommodate intermittent renewable energy into the grid, what technical minimum generation level has the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) mandated for central and state thermal power units?
Verified Explanation
To manage steep net-load ramping caused by rapid solar ramp-down during evening hours (the 'duck curve'), the CEA issued regulations mandating that coal-fired thermal power generating units operate flexibly at a technical minimum load of 55% of Maximum Continuous Rating (MCR), with modifications targeted to enable turndown down to 40% MCR.
25ID: GK-ENRG-00360
mediumNational Electricity Grid & Power Transmission
What specialized technical centres were set up alongside RLDCs and SLDCs under the Green Energy Corridors initiative to handle artificial-intelligence-based renewable generation forecasting and real-time scheduling?
Verified Explanation
Renewable Energy Management Centres (REMCs) are equipped with high-performance computing and advanced weather forecasting algorithms to predict wind and solar output, enabling grid operators to balance supply-demand dynamics smoothly.