The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) recently announced a new initiative called the State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index, also known as SARAL. This innovative index serves the purpose of providing a comprehensive overview of measures adopted by various states to facilitate the deployment of rooftop solar energy.
SARAL ushers in a novel approach to enhance the environment for solar rooftop installations. It aims to boost investment and foster accelerated growth in the sector by initiating healthy competition among states.
The index has thus far identified Karnataka as the leader in solar adoption, followed by Telangana, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh.
A Look at SARAL’s Key Aspects
SARAL is unique in its approach to assessing solar energy potential and implementation across states. Five crucial aspects currently captured by SARAL include:
1. The robustness of the policy framework
2. The implementation environment
3. The investment climate
4. Consumer experiences
5. The business ecosystem
These parameters shape the design of the SARAL index, providing indicators on the overall feasibility and success of solar energy adoption at the state level.
Collaborative Design and Objectives of SARAL
The collaborative design of SARAL involves the efforts of MNRE, the Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation (SSEF), the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), and Ernst & Young (EY).
SARAL’s objective aligns with the Indian Government’s ambitious goal of installing 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022. From this total, the aim is to make 100 GW of solar power operational by March 2022. It is expected that 40% of this target will be achieved through grid-connected solar rooftops.
| Solar Energy Source | Expected Capacity by 2022 |
|---|---|
| Rooftop Solar | 40 GW |
| Other Solar | 60 GW |
| Total Solar | 100 GW |
| Other Renewable | 75 GW |
| Total Renewable | 175 GW |
Implications for the Power Sector and Climate Goals
The successful deployment of solar energy, spearheaded by initiatives like SARAL, has a broad range of implications for the Indian power sector. As the cost of solar energy continues to decrease, the sustainability and viability of the power sector significantly improve.
Increased solar energy adaptation has the potential to ensure 24/7 power supply to consumers. In addition to that, the implementation of solar energy also aids India in fulfilling its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) outlined in the Paris climate deal.
