India is one of the top renewable energy-producing countries of the world majorly due to solar energy. Due to its immense land and high solar intensity, it has been able to build a number of giant solar parks. These solar parks are the means to achieving India’s goal of sustainable energy as well as being a net-zero economy by 2070. As of December 2024, India is home to the world’s largest and most advanced solar parks in its endeavors to achieve a clean energy transition in the country.
Here are the “top 10 solar parks in India”
1. Bhadla Solar Park, Rajasthan
Capacity: 2,245 MW
Location: Jodhpur District, Rajasthan
The biggest operational solar park in the country, it is still technically the world’s largest on grounds of capacity Bhadla: Situated on the backstretch of Thar Desert, where land expanse is a thing of immense scale, has barren sand and full hours of high sunlight levels-the ideal set-up for creating solar power, and hence so vital as a player to Rajasthan’s new energy revolution.
It was developed at a cost of 14,000 INR Crores. It is operated by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).
2. Pavagada Solar Park (Karnataka)
Capacity: 2,050 MW
Location: Tumkur District, Karnataka
Pavagada Solar Park is India’s largest solar park and is amongst the biggest in the world. Spread over 13,000 acres of land, it enhances the renewable energy capacity in the country significantly. Power from this park is now feeding into the grid millions of households to meet bold renewable energy targets of the state. It has been an important landmark for India on its solarization path.
Developed at an investment of 16,500 INR Crores, the park is operated by Solar Power Developers India Limited (SPDIL).
3. Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park, Andhra Pradesh
Capacity: 1,000 MW
Location: Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh
Kurnool Solar Park was India’s first among the Ultra Mega Solar Parks. The super-mega 5,000-acre project played a significant role in making Andhra Pradesh’s renewable energy capability increase. There is a scale along with technological advance in this park that contributes to fulfilling the mandatory energy fetched from the renewable resources.
Developed at a cost of 7,500 INR Crores, it is operated by NTPC.
4. Kadapa Solar Park, Andhra Pradesh
Capacity : 1000 MW
Location : Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh
In the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh lies Kadapa Ultra Mega Solar Park which covers 6,075.24 acres and can generate 1,000 MW. Approved in August 2015, by a joint venture between APSPCL, SECI, APGENCO, and NREDCAP. This mega park was commissioned by 250 MW by Solairedirect in February 2020. The rest of 750 MW is under development and is being constructed by three other companies, namely SB Energy, Sprng Soura, and Ayana Renewable Power that can come up to their completion levels by 2026.
5. NP Kunta Solar Park
Capacity: 978 MW
Location: Kurnool District, Karnataka
NP Kunta is one of the major solar parks in Karnataka, part of this state’s journey to renewable energy generation. Spread over 5,000 acres, this solar park is a huge majority in terms of Karnataka’s renewable power sources. It is one of the parts of the whole energy plan that comes as part of Karnataka’s path to transitioning to cleaner generation sources of power.
It was developed at a cost of 15,000 INR Crores. It is operated by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).
6. Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Park, Madhya Pradesh
Capacity: 750 MW
Location: Rewa District, Madhya Pradesh
Amongst India’s giant solar projects, there’s the Rewa Solar Park. It has three units together amounting to a sum of 750 MW of power, supplying it throughout to the state and neighboring territories. The park, once again, serves as the exemplification project model about solar energy concerning financial efficiencies and operational aspects.
Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited (RUMSL), the implementing agency for the project, is a joint venture between Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikash Nigam Limited (MPUVNL) and Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). Rewa is the first project in India that is supplying power to an inter-state open access customer, viz., Delhi Metro. This is the first project in India, whereby solar power would be utilized for railway traction.
This was developed at a cost of 4,500 INR Crores. The operation of this plant is under the Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited (RUMSL).
7. Kamuthi Solar Power Project (Tamil Nadu)
Capacity: 648 MW
Location: Kamuthi, Tamil Nadu
Kamuthi Solar Power Plant is one of the biggest solar projects in the world. It is a Rs 45.5 billion investment across 2,500 acres of land. The power plant consists of 2.5 million solar panels and has the capacity to generate electricity supply for 265,000 homes at 648 MW. The plant, undertaken over eight months by a work force of over 8,500, was handed over and has become fully functional to date, including a connection to the 400 kV Tantransco substation.
8. Mandsaur Solar Park (Madhya Pradesh)
Capacity: 250 MW
Location : Mandsaur (Madhya Pradesh)
It is spread over 2 km² and Commissioned in September 2017, it was developed by NTPC under the CPSU Scheme Phase-I of the MNRE. It is providing power to the Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company Ltd (MPPMCL). It has an evacuation plan with two phases, one of them, which is the Phase-I being a temporary one connected through Suwasra. The other is the Phase-II which envisages building of a 220 kV transmission line connecting it to the MPPTCL substation in Sitamau by March 2020.
It was developed at a cost of 4,500 INR Crores. Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited (RUMSL) operates it.
9. Gujarat Solar Park in Charanka (Gujarat)
Capacity : 730 MW
Location : Charanka village, Patan district, Gujarat
The Charanka Hybrid Solar-Wind Power Generation Facility is located in Charanka village, Patan district, Gujarat, which is a mix of 730 MW of solar power and 4.2 MW of wind power over an area of 4,687.6 acres. The facility has more than 25 lakh solar panels and was commissioned by the Gujarat Power Corporation Limited (GPCL). The project was sanctioned on 31st December 2011 with an investment of more than Rs. 5,365 crore. It uses a combination of solar technologies, which includes *polycrystalline silicon*, *thin film*, and *concentrated solar power*.
10. Bikaner Solar Park (Rajasthan)
Capacity: 1,000 MW
District: Bikaner District, Rajasthan
Among other things, the Rajasthan has a number of solar parks. The Bikaner Solar Park is a key contribution to that: This 5,000 acres park plays an essential role in the renewable energy produced within the state. The installed capacity of 1,000 MW adds to the expanding network of Indian solar infrastructures.
A solar power project for about 1 GW at Banderwala village near Bikaner, in the state of Rajasthan is known to be the country’s largest single location project being developed. The project costs have been estimated at around Rs 54.90 billion.
Conclusion
Clearly, the growing of solar parks in India will demonstrate its concentration on renewable energy, particularly solar power. Indeed, these top 10 solar parks will form an important basis for the nation’s changeover to clean, sustainable energy. Therefore, with more development and plans of expanding, India is likely to fulfill its target on renewable energy to combat global climate change. As of December 2024, these parks provide crucial power and reduce carbon emissions and help India to be a leader in solar power generation.
Refer :
- Dasenergie, Link to article
- Blackridgeresearch, Link to article
- Navitassolar, Link to article
Also read : Adani Green Energy Commissions 250 MW Solar Power Project in Rajasthan