Solar Power Infrastructure in India GK Questions & Answers
India's solar energy infrastructure has experienced transformative scaling driven by ambitious decarbonization goals under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission and updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) aiming for 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030. Internationally, India co-founded the International Solar Alliance (ISA) alongside France during COP21 in Paris in 2015, establishing its treaty-based global headquarters in Gurugram, Haryana, to promote solar deployment across sunshine-rich nations under the 'One Sun One World One Grid' (OSOWOG) initiative. Domestically, utility-scale expansion relies on the Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks (UMREPP) scheme, establishing massive installations including the 2,245 MW Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan, the 2,050 MW Pavagada Solar Park in Karnataka, and the Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park in Andhra Pradesh. Distributed solar adoption is accelerated through dedicated governmental schemes: the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) provides subsidized standalone and grid-connected solar agricultural pumps for rural farmers, while the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana launched in 2024 allocates collateral financial assistance to deploy rooftop photovoltaic installations across 10 million residential households.
High-yield conceptual summaries for competitive exams and rapid revision.
The International Solar Alliance (ISA), launched jointly by India and France at COP21 in 2015, operates from its global headquarters in Gurugram, India.
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.
India's revised COP26 climate pledge (Panchamrit) targets 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity and 50% cumulative electric power from renewables by 2030.
The PM-KUSUM scheme supports farmers through solarization of agricultural pumps and installation of decentralized grid-connected solar power plants.
The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (2024) targets rooftop solar installations for 10 million households with direct central financial assistance.
Showing 25 Curated Questions818 Total in Bank
1ID: GK-ENRG-00011
easySolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
Pavagada Solar Park (also known as Shakti Sthala), one of India's largest operational utility-scale solar parks with a capacity of 2,050 MW, is located in which state?
Verified Explanation
Pavagada Solar Park (Shakti Sthala) is situated in the drought-prone Pavagada taluk of Tumakuru district in Karnataka. Developed by the Karnataka Solar Power Development Corporation Limited (KSPDCL), it spans over 13,000 acres with a capacity of 2,050 MW.
2ID: GK-ENRG-00013
easySolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
Where is the global headquarters of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), an intergovernmental treaty-based organization initiated by India and France?
Verified Explanation
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is headquartered at the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) campus in Gurugram, Haryana, India. It was co-founded by India and France at COP21 in Paris in 2015 to promote solar energy deployment across sun-rich countries.
3ID: GK-ENRG-00020
mediumSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
India's landmark 100 MW operational floating solar photovoltaic power plant was established by NTPC at the reservoir of which thermal power station?
Verified Explanation
NTPC commissioned the 100 MW floating solar PV project at the balancing reservoir of its Ramagundam Thermal Power Station in Peddapalli district, Telangana. Floating solar systems reduce water evaporation losses while benefiting from natural water cooling.
4ID: GK-ENRG-00021
mediumSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
Under the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy issued by MNRE, what minimum rated capacity must the smaller resource have relative to the larger resource to qualify as a hybrid plant?
Verified Explanation
According to the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy, to be recognized as a hybrid power plant, the rated power capacity of one resource (wind or solar) must be at least 25% of the rated power capacity of the other resource.
5ID: GK-ENRG-00025
hardSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
In Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) tower plants utilizing thermal energy storage, which molten salt mixture is most widely employed as the thermal storage medium?
Verified Explanation
A binary eutectic mixture of 60% sodium nitrate (NaNO3) and 40% potassium nitrate (KNO3), commercially known as 'Solar Salt', is the standard medium in CSP thermal energy storage due to its high heat capacity, thermal stability up to ~565°C, and low cost.
6ID: GK-ENRG-00028
hardSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
In photovoltaic physics, what is the maximum theoretical efficiency limit for a single-junction p-n solar cell under standard unconcentrated sunlight, known as the Shockley-Queisser limit?
Verified Explanation
Calculated by William Shockley and Hans-Queisser in 1961, the theoretical maximum power conversion efficiency for a single-junction solar cell with an optimal bandgap (~1.34 eV) under 1-sun illumination is approximately 33.7%.
7ID: GK-ENRG-00071
easySolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
What is the primary target of the 'Towards 1000' strategic roadmap adopted by the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to be achieved by 2030?
Verified Explanation
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) adopted the 'Towards 1000' strategy, which aims to mobilize $1,000 billion in solar energy investments, provide clean energy access to 1,000 million people, install 1,000 GW of solar capacity, and mitigate 1,000 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually by 2030. It forms the core multilateral mission of ISA to drive global solar deployment.
8ID: GK-ENRG-00073
easySolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
In which Indian state was the world's first canal-top solar photovoltaic power plant commissioned in 2012 along the Narmada branch canal?
Verified Explanation
The world's first canal-top solar power plant (a 1 MW pilot project) was commissioned in 2012 on the Sanand branch canal of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam network in Gujarat at Chandrasan. This engineering innovation conserves agricultural land and significantly reduces water loss from open canal evaporation.
9ID: GK-ENRG-00077
easySolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
Which Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) functions as the primary nodal agency for tendering, auctioning, and power procurement of utility-scale solar and wind projects across India?
Verified Explanation
Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) was set up in 2011 as a dedicated CPSE under MNRE to execute the National Solar Mission. SECI acts as an intermediary procurer (Renewable Energy Implementing Agency) conducting competitive bidding auctions and entering into Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with developers and DISCOMs.
10ID: GK-ENRG-00080
mediumSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
In utility-scale bifacial solar photovoltaic systems, which environmental parameter determines the additional energy yield generated by the rear side of the solar panel?
Verified Explanation
Bifacial solar photovoltaic modules absorb solar irradiance from both front and rear surfaces. The rear-side power gain depends predominantly on the albedo (reflectivity coefficient) of the underlying ground cover, such as white gravel, sand, concrete, or snow, which reflects diffuse sunlight onto the rear cells.
11ID: GK-ENRG-00081
mediumSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
What dual-land-use farming system integrates agricultural crop production beneath elevated ground-mounted solar photovoltaic structures?
Verified Explanation
Agri-photovoltaics (Agrovoltaics) is the co-location of agricultural farming and solar photovoltaic power generation on the same parcel of land. Elevated panel mountings permit farm machinery movement and crop growth underneath, while partial shading reduces crop heat stress and irrigation water evaporation.
12ID: 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.
13ID: GK-ENRG-00089
hardSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
What thermodynamic phenomenon accounts for the higher electrical energy conversion efficiency of Floating Solar PV (FPV) systems compared to ground-mounted installations?
Verified Explanation
Standard silicon photovoltaic cell performance degrades by roughly 0.35% to 0.45% for every degree Celsius rise above 25°C. Floating solar panels benefit from the natural cooling effect of the water body and surface winds, operating 5°C to 15°C cooler than ground systems, which translates into a 5% to 10% gain in annual electricity yield.
14ID: GK-ENRG-00132
easySolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
Where is the permanent interim secretariat and headquarters of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) located?
Verified Explanation
The International Solar Alliance (ISA), co-founded by India and France at COP21 in Paris in 2015, has its permanent headquarters housed within the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) campus in Gurugram, Haryana, India.
15ID: GK-ENRG-00136
easySolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
At which thermal power station reservoir in Telangana did NTPC fully commission a commercial 100 MW floating solar photovoltaic project in 2022?
Verified Explanation
NTPC declared commercial operation of the 100 MW Floating Solar PV Project at the reservoir of Ramagundam Super Thermal Power Station in Peddapalli district, Telangana, in July 2022. It is engineered with advanced floaters, HDPE moorings, and automated SCADA systems.
16ID: GK-ENRG-00146
hardSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
What is the theoretical maximum single-junction solar cell thermodynamic efficiency limit under standard 1-sun un-concentrated solar illumination, known as the Shockley-Queisser limit?
Verified Explanation
Calculated by William Shockley and Hans-Walter Queisser in 1961, the Shockley-Queisser limit establishes that the maximum theoretical solar conversion efficiency for a single p-n junction photovoltaic cell under standard AM 1.5 solar spectrum without concentration is approximately 33.7% (for an optimum bandgap of ~1.34 eV).
17ID: GK-ENRG-00148
hardSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
What is the primary regulatory purpose of MNRE's 'Approved List of Models and Manufacturers' (ALMM) order in the Indian solar power sector?
Verified Explanation
The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) order issued by MNRE certifies solar PV manufacturing units based on rigorous quality audits. Only models and manufacturers listed under ALMM are eligible for deployment in government projects, subsidized schemes (like PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar), and open access/net metering projects in India.
18ID: GK-ENRG-00191
easySolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
Which upcoming ultra-mega solar park located within a Special Investment Region (SIR) in Gujarat has a planned ultimate capacity of 5,000 MW, making it one of the largest single-location solar projects in India?
Verified Explanation
Dholera Solar Park is an ultra-mega solar power project planned with a total capacity of 5,000 MW situated within the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR) in Gujarat. Developed by Gujarat Power Corporation Limited (GPCL) along with SECI and other agencies, it forms a central pillar of India's utility-scale clean power expansion.
19ID: 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.
20ID: GK-ENRG-00194
easySolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
Which premier engineering laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) developed the world's largest 'Solar Tree' in Durgapur to generate clean electricity with minimal land footprint?
Verified Explanation
CSIR-CMERI (Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute) in Durgapur, West Bengal, designed and fabricated innovative high-capacity solar trees. These structures arrange photovoltaic panels on spiralling branches, occupying barely 1% of the land area required by conventional ground-mounted solar arrays.
21ID: GK-ENRG-00201
mediumSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
In solar photovoltaic module thermodynamics, what happens to the electrical maximum power output (Pmax) of a standard crystalline silicon solar panel as its operating cell temperature rises above 25°C Standard Test Conditions (STC)?
Verified Explanation
As the temperature of a crystalline silicon solar cell increases, its open-circuit voltage (Voc) drops significantly due to increased intrinsic carrier concentration and recombination. Consequently, the temperature coefficient of Pmax for standard silicon modules is negative (typically -0.35% to -0.45%/°C), leading to reduced power generation under hot desert conditions.
22ID: GK-ENRG-00204
mediumSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
In high-efficiency silicon solar photovoltaic architecture, which design eliminates front-side metallic grid lines completely by placing both positive and negative electrical contacts on the rear surface?
Verified Explanation
Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) solar cells feature all p-n junction emitters and metal contact fingers placed exclusively on the rear surface of the silicon wafer. This completely eliminates optical shading losses caused by front metal grid lines, maximizing photon absorption and achieving cell efficiencies exceeding 25%.
23ID: GK-ENRG-00251
easySolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
What is the dual-use agricultural practice called where solar photovoltaic panels are installed on the same farmland where crops are simultaneously cultivated?
Verified Explanation
Agrivoltaics (or agri-PV) is the co-location of solar photovoltaic panels and agricultural crops on the same piece of land. This dual land-use system optimizes solar radiation for electricity generation while maintaining microclimates that reduce crop evapotranspiration. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) promotes agrivoltaic installations under the PM-KUSUM scheme.
24ID: GK-ENRG-00255
easySolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
What major environmental benefit is achieved by installing floating solar photovoltaic (floatovoltaic) plants on reservoirs compared to ground-mounted solar plants?
Verified Explanation
Floating solar photovoltaic systems (floatovoltaics) conserve significant quantities of water by shading reservoir surfaces and suppressing evaporation losses. Additionally, the cooling effect of the underlying water body keeps solar cell operating temperatures lower, thereby enhancing overall photovoltaic energy yield.
25ID: GK-ENRG-00256
hardSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
In advanced photovoltaic engineering, what is the primary structural advantage of perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells over conventional single-junction silicon cells?
Verified Explanation
Perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells stack a wide-bandgap perovskite top cell on top of a narrow-bandgap silicon bottom cell. The perovskite cell absorbs high-energy blue/green photons while the silicon cell absorbs lower-energy red/infrared photons, allowing the device to surpass the theoretical Shockley-Queisser efficiency limit of single-junction silicon cells.
Search across all 818 Solar Power Infrastructure in India: Ultra Mega Solar Parks & International Solar Alliance questions or browse 44,700+ verified questions across 65 domains.