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Solar Power in India: Ultra Mega Parks, ISA & PM-KUSUM

To achieve rapid economies of scale in clean energy generation, the central renewable ministry introduced the Scheme for Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects in 2014 under national electricity legislation. The policy extends central financial grants to establish dedicated solar complexes with a minimum generation threshold of 500 MW each, except in special hilly and island territories. Under this framework, Solar Power Park Developers (SPPDs), organized as joint ventures between public sector agencies or private concessionaires, construct plug-and-play generation infrastructure. These entities provide demarcated land parcels, internal power evacuation lines, roads, water supply, and pooling substations connected to the central inter-state transmission system (ISTS).

India contains several of the largest contiguous solar facilities globally. The Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan's Jodhpur district spans over 14,000 acres in an arid, high-radiation desert basin, with an installed capacity exceeding 2,245 MW. Karnataka's Pavagada Solar Park in Tumakuru district generates 2,050 MW across agricultural tracts leased directly from farmers. Additional key projects include the 1,000 MW Kurnool Park in Andhra Pradesh and the 750 MW Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Park in Madhya Pradesh, which pioneered institutional open-access power delivery to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) aids park siting through its VEDAS portal, using INSAT satellite data to map surface direct normal irradiance.

Internationally, India co-founded the International Solar Alliance (ISA) with France during the 2015 COP21 climate summit in Paris. Headquartered at the National Institute of Solar Energy campus in Gurugram, the treaty-based body coordinates the 'Towards 1000' strategy, aiming to mobilize 1,000 billion dollars in capital and deploy 1,000 GW of solar capacity by 2030. Concurrently, India leads the One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) initiative to interlink regional transmission networks across Asia and Africa. For candidates preparing for UPSC GS Paper II and Paper III, ultra mega solar complexes offer prime case studies in public infrastructure. Assessments examine ISA institutional treaties, ISTS transmission fee waivers, arid land environmental management, and satellite geospatial data applications in renewable project development.
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Key Concepts & Self-Assessment15 Key Facts

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  1. #1
    The International Solar Alliance (ISA), launched jointly by India and France at COP21 in 2015, operates from its global headquarters in Gurugram, India.
  2. #2
    The Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan (2,245 MW capacity) and Pavagada Solar Park in Karnataka (2,050 MW) rank among the world's largest operational solar installations.
  3. #3
    India's revised COP26 climate pledge (Panchamrit) targets 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity and 50% cumulative electric power from renewables by 2030.
  4. #4
    The PM-KUSUM scheme supports farmers through solarization of agricultural pumps and installation of decentralized grid-connected solar power plants.
  5. #5
    The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (2024) targets rooftop solar installations for 10 million households with direct central financial assistance.
  6. #6
    The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), established in 2011, functions as the primary central implementing agency for renewable energy auctions and Viability Gap Funding.
  7. #7
    The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for high-efficiency solar photovoltaic modules was allocated 24,000 crore rupees to build indigenous manufacturing capacity.
  8. #8
    Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park in Andhra Pradesh (1,000 MW) was developed through a joint venture between SECI and the Andhra Pradesh Solar Power Corporation.
  9. #9
    The One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) initiative, proposed by India, aims to interconnect regional power grids to transfer solar power across time zones globally.
  10. #10
    India achieved the 40% cumulative non-fossil power generation capacity milestone in November 2021, nine years ahead of the target set in its 2015 Paris Agreement NDC.
  11. #11
    The floating solar power project at Ramagundam, Telangana, with a capacity of 100 MW, was developed by NTPC using high-density polyethylene floats over thermal reservoir waters.
  12. #12
    The National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) in Gurugram acts as the apex autonomous research and development institution under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
  13. #13
    A Basic Customs Duty (BCD) of 40% on solar modules and 25% on solar cells was imposed in April 2022 to protect domestic solar manufacturers from subsidized imports.
  14. #14
    The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) mandate requires all government-sponsored solar projects to procure modules exclusively from certified domestic production facilities.
  15. #15
    Under the PM-KUSUM scheme Component-B, individual farmers receive a 60% combined central and state subsidy to install standalone off-grid solar agricultural pumps.

Subject Specialist Commentary

Analytical perspective & practical exam advice from the Master10 academic board

Educator's Insight
India has rapidly emerged as a clean energy leader by utilizing its vast solar radiation to replace fossil fuels. Through government schemes supporting ultra mega solar parks, vast stretches of arid land have turned into sprawling solar installations, such as Rajasthan's Bhadla Solar Park and Karnataka's Pavagada facility. On the global stage, India co-founded the International Solar Alliance alongside France in 2015, anchoring its global headquarters in Gurugram to promote affordable solar technology across developing nations.
For UPSC, SSC, and State PSC exams, focus on specific policy targets and institutional headquarters. A frequent prelims trap tests climate commitments: under its COP26 Panchamrit pledge, India committed to reaching 500 gigawatts of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030. When reviewing government welfare programs in exam papers, distinguish PM-KUSUM, which solarizes rural agricultural water pumps, from the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which provides financial assistance to install rooftop solar panels for ten million households.

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