'India's solar generation capacity crosses 3,000 MW'

New Delhi, Nov 19: India's solar power generation capacity has crossed 3,000 MW even as overall capacity addition this year is expected to be lower at about 800 MW than seen in 2013, according to a report.

Mercom Capital today said the country has seen installation of 734 MW solar power capacity so far this year, taking the overall installed capacity to more than 3,000 MW.

"However, 2014 will be a disappointment with calendar year installations forecast at about 800 MW, a 20 per cent drop year-over-year.

"Land acquisition delays due to elections and uncertainty caused by the anti-dumping case contributed to a slowdown in installations," it said in a statement.

Last year, capacity addition was little over 1,000 MW. In 2015, however, the solar capacity addition is projected to more than double to 1,800 MW, it added. Mercom Capital is a global clean energy communications and consulting firm.

"The Indian solar industry is visibly upbeat since the elections and especially after getting past the anti-dumping case," Mercom Capital Group CEO and Co-Founder Raj Prabhu said.

According to him, recent cancellations of coal mining licences by the Supreme Court amid rising coal imports and increasing costs, and continuing power shortages have all contributed to the positive momentum in the solar sector.

The government is making efforts to increase power generation from renewable sources, especially solar energy.

PTI