Solar Energy — Tech Evolutions

Entry	Year	Description	Impact
National Solar Mission (JNNSM) Target Revision	2015	The original target of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) for grid-connected solar power was 20 GW by 2022. In 2015, this target was significantly revised upwards to 100 GW by 2022, comprising 40 GW from rooftop solar and 60 GW from large and medium scale grid-connected solar power projects.	This ambitious revision signaled a strong governmental commitment to solar energy, accelerating policy support, investment, and project development. It positioned solar as a central pillar of India's renewable energy strategy, driving rapid capacity additions and making India one of the fastest-growing solar markets globally, despite not fully achieving the revised target by 2022.
Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules	2020	The Ministry of Power notified the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, which included provisions to simplify the process for rooftop solar installations and net metering. These rules aimed to standardize procedures, reduce delays, and ensure consumer-friendly mechanisms for grid-connected rooftop solar systems across states.	This amendment aimed to boost rooftop solar adoption by making it easier for consumers to install and connect their systems to the grid. It sought to address inconsistencies in state-level net metering policies, providing a clearer framework and promoting decentralized solar generation, thereby contributing to the overall solar capacity targets and empowering consumers.
Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules	2021 (initial), 2022 (second tranche)	The government introduced the PLI scheme for solar PV modules to incentivize domestic manufacturing across the entire value chain. The scheme provides financial incentives based on the sales of high-efficiency solar PV modules manufactured in India, aiming to reduce import dependence and build a robust domestic industry.	This policy intervention is critical for India's energy security and 'Make in India' initiative. It has spurred significant investment in domestic manufacturing, with several large-scale integrated solar PV manufacturing units being set up or expanded. The scheme aims to create a globally competitive solar manufacturing ecosystem, reduce reliance on imports, and generate employment, thereby strengthening India's position in the global solar supply chain.