Solar energy is at the vanguard of this transformation in India, one of the nations that is aggressively taking steps to enhance its output of renewable energy. The ambitious goal of creating 175 GW of renewable energy by the year 2022, of which 100 GW is anticipated to come from solar energy alone, has been set by the Indian government. Several Indian states have increased their solar energy output with this objective in mind, but which state is leading the way?
In India as of 2021, Karnataka is the state that produces the most solar energy. Karnataka has the highest installed capacity of any state in India as of January 2021, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). With multiple large-scale solar projects completed in the state in recent years, the state has made major advancements in the production of solar energy.
Along with Karnataka, other significant solar energy producing states in India are Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh. These states have also invested a lot of money in solar energy projects, and the government and international organizations have acknowledged their efforts.
The first airport in the world to run totally on solar energy is Cochin International Airport in Kerala, India. The solar power plant at the airport, which was put into operation in 2015 and has a 12 MW capacity, gives it all the electricity it requires to run its activities. The solar power plant has 46,150 solar panels and is located across 45 acres.
The solar power facility at the Cochin International Airport is a prime illustration of India’s dedication to sustainable development and renewable energy. The management of the airport has won numerous honors and distinctions for their work, including the esteemed Champion of the Earth award from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
India’s first solar city is Diu, which is situated on Gujarat’s southern coast. Several solar energy installations, including a 2.3 MW solar power plant and a solar-powered water pumping station, are located in the city, which has a population of about 52,000. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has acknowledged the city’s achievements in renewable energy and given it the title of “model solar city.”
Diu’s solar energy initiatives have not only helped the city lower its carbon footprint, but they have also saved the city a sizable amount of money. The monthly cost of the city’s electricity has dropped by almost 12 lakh rupees, and citizens now have jobs thanks to the solar power initiatives.
Finally, Karnataka is currently the Indian state with the most solar energy production, closely followed by Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh. The city of Diu in Gujarat is India’s first solar city, while the Cochin International Airport in Kerala is the first airport in the world to function totally on solar energy. These programs demonstrate India’s dedication to renewable energy and sustainable development.