By becoming home to half of the world’s 10 largest solar parks under construction, India is beating China in the race to build massive solar power projects, reported Quartz India.

India entered the scene later than its neighbour, but the country has invested heavily in the sector and is moving ahead with giant projects.

While China is still the largest producer of solar power, US-based think tank, Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) in a report said that India is moving forward aided by large projects, the report said.

These projects include Ananthapuramu – I Solar Park, Kadapa Ultra Mega Solar Park, Rewa Solar Park, Bhadla Industrial Solar Park and Pavagada Solar Park.

Some of the largest plants are still in China, said the report adding that it could soon come to an end as some of the under construction projects in India are way bigger in size. In addition, India is also planning to build a massive 5,000 MW solar park along the Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat.

“India has pioneered the concept of the ultra mega power plant (UMPP) in a single solar industrial park. This approach has been instrumental in driving economies of scale and procuring global capital flows… over the last two years with an immediate boon in the form of a halving of solar tariffs to a record low of Rs 2.44 (per unit),” said the IEEFA report.

All these improvements come at a time when the Modi led government is trying to make India a global leader in the field of clean energy, said the news website.

India is targeting an installed capacity of 100,000 MW of solar power by 2022 and an overall renewable energy capacity of 175,000 MW, added the report.

First Published:May 23, 2018 10:28 AM IST