Karnataka was among the first states in India to achieve over 7,000 MW of installed solar capacity, becoming a national leader in solar energy generation.
Under the latest Karnataka Renewable Energy Policy (2023–2028), the state continues to push for:
• Energy independence from fossil fuels.
• Decentralized power generation across districts.
• Robust solar manufacturing and R&D ecosystems.
The policy aligns with India’s National Solar Mission and supports the country’s target of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Objectives of the Karnataka Solar Policy:
1. Achieve 10,000 MW of solar capacity by 2028.
2. Promote rooftop solar adoption in urban and rural sectors.
3. Encourage private investment and public-private partnerships.
4. Ensure energy access and affordability through decentralized systems.
5. Support Make-in-India initiatives by encouraging domestic manufacturing of solar panels and equipment.
Key Highlights of the Policy:
1. Utility-Scale Solar Projects
Karnataka’s vast solar parks — including the Pavagada Solar Park (2,000+ MW) — have made it a renewable energy benchmark.
Under the new policy:
• Developers can set up solar parks or standalone plants with government facilitation for land, grid access, and approvals.
• Transmission and wheeling charges are waived for intra-state consumption for the first 10 years.
• Solar hybrid projects (solar + wind + storage) are encouraged for grid stability.
2. Rooftop and Distributed Solar
The government promotes rooftop systems under net metering and gross metering models:
• Residential, commercial, and industrial users can install 1–500 kW systems.
• Up to 40% subsidy is available for households through MNRE’s national rooftop scheme.
• Educational institutions, hospitals, and government buildings are mandated to adopt solar.
• Virtual net metering allows housing societies and group housing projects to share solar power benefits.
3. Off-Grid & Rural Initiatives
Karnataka’s solar policy also focuses on rural empowerment and energy access through:
• Solar water pumping systems for agriculture under the PM-KUSUM scheme.
• Mini and micro-grids for remote villages and forest regions.
• Solar street lights and community lighting programs are managed by local panchayats.
Environmental and Economic Benefits:
Karnataka’s commitment to solar power has delivered remarkable benefits:
• 7,500+ MW of installed capacity generating clean power for millions.
• Reduction of over 10 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
• Employment generation in EPC, manufacturing, and O&M sectors.
• Improved energy security and reduced reliance on thermal power.
Challenges and the Road Ahead:
While Karnataka leads the way, some challenges persist:
• Grid integration of large-scale solar.
• Land acquisition bottlenecks in expanding solar parks.
• Battery storage affordability for hybrid solutions.
To overcome these, the government plans to:
• Encourage energy storage systems (ESS) and smart grids.
• Establish solar manufacturing hubs in Tumakuru and Ballari.
• Promote research partnerships with universities and startups.
Future Vision: Solar-Powered Karnataka 2030
By 2030, Karnataka aims to be India’s top renewable energy state, with solar leading the transformation.
The focus areas include:
• Floating solar projects on reservoirs and lakes.
• Agrivoltaic systems combine solar with farming.
• Green hydrogen production using solar electricity.
This holistic approach ensures that Karnataka’s solar growth is sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready.
Conclusion:
The Karnataka Solar Policy 2023–2028 is a blueprint for clean energy transformation. With ambitious targets, investor-friendly incentives, and strong policy support, Karnataka continues to shine as a solar success story in India.
By integrating large-scale solar, rooftop systems, and green innovation, the state is not just lighting homes — it’s powering a cleaner, greener future for generations to come.
