Maarg Manthan · Topic 19.11

National Solar Mission

Environment & Ecology › Environmental Institutions and Schemes in India · Topic 19.11

The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), also called the National Solar Mission, was launched on 11 January 2010 as one of the eight missions of the National Action Plan on Climate Change, run by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. It aimed to make India a global leader in solar energy by creating policy conditions for rapid diffusion of solar technology across the country, with an initial target of 20,000 MW of grid-connected solar power by 2022, 2,000 MW of off-grid applications by 2022 and 20 million solar lighting systems. The Mission had three phases: Phase I (2010 to 2013), Phase II (2013 to 2017) and Phase III (2017 to 2022). In 2015 the target was raised five-fold to 100 GW by 2022, made up of 60 GW of ground-mounted solar and 40 GW of rooftop solar. Key tools are solar parks, reverse auctions that discovered very low tariffs, viability gap funding, solar power purchase obligations, Domestic Content Requirement for part of the cells and modules, and the Production Linked Incentive scheme for modules. The Domestic Content Requirement was challenged by the United States at the WTO, and in 2016 a panel found it inconsistent with trade rules. India's solar capacity grew from about 20 MW in 2010 to over 90 GW by 2024, and the government has set a target of 280 GW solar by 2030 within 500 GW non-fossil capacity. Related schemes are PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar and the International Solar Alliance.

5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Environment & Ecology · Environmental Institutions and Schemes in India

At a Glance

Launched 11 January 2010
Original target 20 GW by 2022
Revised target 100 GW by 2022
Phases Three
WTO ruling 2016
Exam link UPSC Prelims, Environment & Ecology: Environmental Institutions and Schemes in India

Where Does It Fit?

This topic returns to the solar mission, which was introduced earlier in the energy macro, to present it as an institutional scheme within the macro on programmes in India. Previous topic: National Bamboo Mission. Next topic: Namami Gange Programme and Ganga Rejuvenation Plan.

What Are the Phases and Targets of the Mission?

Item	Details
Launch	11 January 2010, as part of the NAPCC, by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Original target	20,000 MW grid solar by 2022, 2,000 MW off-grid and 20 million solar lighting systems
Phase I	2010 to 2013: 1,100 MW grid and 200 MW off-grid targets
Phase II	2013 to 2017: scale up to about 10,000 MW
Phase III	2017 to 2022: aim for 20,000 MW, later overtaken by the 100 GW target
100 GW target	Approved in 2015: 60 GW ground-mounted and 40 GW rooftop by 2022
2030 goals	280 GW solar as part of 500 GW non-fossil capacity

Which Tools and Disputes Mark the Mission?

Solar parks: Bhadla in Rajasthan, Pavagada in Karnataka, Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh
Reverse auctions: competitive bidding cut tariffs from about Rs 12 per unit in 2010 to below Rs 3
Viability Gap Funding: used in early phases for projects
Solar RPO: purchase obligation creates demand
DCR: Domestic Content Requirement for cells and modules; WTO panel found it violated trade rules in 2016, and the Appellate Body upheld this
PLI scheme: incentives for domestic module manufacturing
ALMM: Approved List of Models and Manufacturers
Related schemes: PM-KUSUM for farmers, PM Surya Ghar for rooftop, ISA internationally

What Else Should You Remember?

JNNSM: Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission
NAPCC: eight missions, of which the Solar Mission is the first
Phase I design: NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam bundled solar power with cheaper thermal power
Capacity: solar capacity rose from about 20 MW in 2010 to over 90 GW by 2024
Solar tariff: fell more than 80 percent in a decade
Solar energy corporation: SECI, Solar Energy Corporation of India, is the nodal agency for tenders
SECI: set up in 2011 as a public sector company
Rooftop solar programme: Phase II subsidies for households
PM Surya Ghar: 2024 scheme aiming at one crore households
PM-KUSUM: solar pumps and plants for farmers
Floating solar: projects at Omkareshwar and other reservoirs
Hybrid parks: solar with wind and storage
Storage: batteries and pumped hydro needed for night supply
Green energy corridors: transmission to carry power
WTO case: US v India, 2016, on DCR in Phase II; India lost and later changed rules
Local manufacturing: India imports most cells and modules, mainly from China
Customs duty: basic customs duty on modules and cells to promote local industry
Land: large solar parks need land, causing disputes
Discom payments: delays in payments
Solar waste: end-of-life panels need recycling
Link to previous: see National Bamboo Mission
Link to next: see Namami Gange Programme and Ganga Rejuvenation Plan
Link to energy: see Geothermal Energy and Solar Energy
Caution: capacity figures and targets change, so check MNRE
Exam hint: remember 2010, 20 GW to 100 GW in 2015, the three phases and the WTO case
Solar parks scheme: MNRE supports development of ultra mega solar parks with common land, power evacuation and approvals
Competitive bidding: reverse auctions by SECI and states lowered the cost of solar power to some of the world’s lowest tariffs
Off-grid solar: solar lamps, home lighting, pumps and mini-grids were supported for rural areas
Skill development: Surya Mitra programme trains technicians for installation and maintenance

Why Does It Matter for the Exam?

Launch: 2010
Target: 100 GW by 2022
Dispute: WTO on DCR
Current affairs link: 280 GW by 2030
Common errors: giving 2008 as the launch year

As an analytical point, the Solar Mission turned India into a major solar market through auctions and parks, but it relies on imported modules and needs storage and grid upgrades. Domestic manufacturing and fair payment are key to continuing growth.

Why Is This Topic Important?

Tool Auctions, parks
Result Cheap solar
Gap Imports, storage

What Came Next?

The next topic covers the Namami Gange Programme and the Ganga Rejuvenation Plan. Next topic: Namami Gange Programme and Ganga Rejuvenation Plan.

Key People and Terms

JNNSM Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission
SECI Solar Energy Corporation of India
DCR Domestic Content Requirement
VGF Viability gap funding
ALMM Approved models list
PLI Production linked incentive

Exam Corner

Points to Remember

Launched 11 January 2010.
Target raised to 100 GW in 2015.
Three phases.
WTO ruling 2016.
Nodal: MNRE and SECI.

Do Not Confuse With

National Solar Mission and ISA Domestic mission versus international alliance
PM-KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar Farm solar versus rooftop homes
Phase I and Phase III 2010-13 versus 2017-22

Memory Hook

Ten begins with twenty; fifteen makes it a hundred; WTO says DCR no.

Mains Angle

Questions ask for targets, years and tools. These points help.

Targets 20 to 100 GW
Tools Auctions, parks
Issues DCR

A Question You May Face

An original practice question, not a past paper question.

“Examine the objectives, phases and achievements of the National Solar Mission and the issues it faces.”

How to Answer

Launch 2010.
Targets 20, 100 GW.
Tools Auctions, parks.
Issues Imports, storage.

GS Relevance

Prelims: launch, targets, phases, WTO case. GS Paper 3: solar energy policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the National Solar Mission?

The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission was launched on 11 January 2010 under the National Action Plan on Climate Change to promote solar energy in India. It first aimed at 20,000 MW of grid solar power by 2022, a target raised to 100 GW in 2015, and it is run by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

What are the phases of the National Solar Mission?

The Mission had three phases: Phase I from 2010 to 2013, Phase II from 2013 to 2017 and Phase III from 2017 to 2022. Each phase had capacity targets and policy steps, including competitive auctions, solar parks and domestic content requirements, before the 100 GW goal for 2022 replaced the original aim.

What was the WTO dispute on India's solar mission?

The United States challenged the Domestic Content Requirement for solar cells and modules in India's Phase II of the Solar Mission at the WTO. In 2016 a panel found that it violated trade rules on national treatment, and the Appellate Body upheld this in 2016. India then had to change its rules.

How has solar power grown in India since 2010?

India's solar capacity has risen from about 20 megawatts in 2010 to more than 90 gigawatts by 2024, helped by solar parks, reverse auctions that cut tariffs by over 80 percent, and rooftop programmes. The country aims for 280 GW of solar capacity by 2030 as part of 500 GW of non-fossil power.

Which agency conducts solar tenders in India?

The Solar Energy Corporation of India, a public sector company set up in 2011 under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, is the nodal agency for central solar and other renewable tenders, power purchase and the development of solar parks. State agencies and distribution companies also conduct their own auctions.

PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis

1 The National Solar Mission was launched in 2010.

True

As part of NAPCC.

2 The target was raised to 100 GW in 2015.

True

By 2022.

3 India won the WTO case on domestic content.

False

India lost it.

4 SECI was set up in 1991.