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Tamil Nadu targets 3,000MW solar power by 2015 (India)

The Indian state of Tamil Nadu has set a target of 3,000 MW of solar power by 2015. To reach this ambitious goal within the next three years, the state government will implement a 6% Solar Purchase Obligation (SPO), which will be mandatory for high-tension consumers in special economic zones (SEZ), IT parks, telecom towers, colleges and residential schools, industries guaranteed with round the clock power supply and buildings with built up area as of 20,000 m². This SPO will come into force as of 1 January 2013 (3%) and will be raised to 6% in January 2014.



Domestic consumers would be encouraged to put up roof-top solar installations, through a generation-based incentive of Rs 2/kWh ($3.72c/kWh) for the first two years, Rs 1/kWh ($1.86c/kWh) for next two years and Rs 0.50/kWh ($0.93c/kWh) for subsequent two years will be provided for all solar and solar-wind hybrid rooftops being installed before March 31, 2014. A capacity addition of 50 MW is targeted under this scheme.

The government would also mandate installation of solar water heating systems for industries having hot water boiler using fossil fuel.

For generating more solar power, the government announced setting up of solar power parks comprising 250 MW in sizes of 1 MW to 5 MW, 600 MW in sizes of five to 10 MW and 650 MW of sizes above 10 MW.