Indian state of Tamil Nadu unveils new solar energy policy

Southern Indian-state of Tamil Nadu has launched a new solar energy policy that is envisages generating 3,000MW solar power by 2015 and make the state a regional solar energy center.

The policy also lays out that the state has around 300 sunny days in a year and envisages better exploitation of the solar energy by setting up of 1000MW solar power capacity during the 2013-2015 period.

The state government is expected to make mandatory for high tension power consumers like special economic zones, industries, IT parks, telecom towers and other buildings with an area of 20,000m2 or more to buy at least 6% of solar power from 2014.

As per the policy, industries having hot water boiler or steam boiler using fossil fuel, must install solar water heating systems.

The solar power projects will be developed through competitive bidding and investments though state-owned joint ventures will also be considered through competitive bidding with Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency to be the single window clearing agency for solar power projects in the state.