Solar installations down 49% in Q1, may reach 71 gigawatt by 2022

According to a Mercom report, solar installations in India are likely to reach 71 gigawatt (gw) by the end of 2022, almost 30% lower than the 100 gw target set by the government. However, with an aggressive push and supportive policies, the goal is still achievable

30 gw – Cumulative installed capacity at March 2019-end

9 gw – Capacity may get installed this year

Q1 2019 snapshot

49% – On-year fall in installations to 1,737 megawatt (mw) from 3,377 mw, mainly owing to difficulty in getting the required approvals due to general elections

1,474 mw or 85% – Of installations were large-scale

Around $2.8 bn – Investment in solar, down 12% on-year

Over 800 mw – Auctions cancelled as tariff caps a contentious issue

4% – Installations in Q1 2019 were up from 1,638 mw in Q4 2018

32% – Solar's share in new power capacity added in Q1 2019

Rooftop

12% – Its share total installations

260 mw – Capacity added in Q1 2019, a 33% drop

390 mw – It was a year-ago

Only 9% – Of targeted capacity addition achieved

Rooftop market is expected to bounce back in the second half of the year