Increased Solar Energy Production in Uttar Pradesh

• 01 Apr 2025

Why in News? 

Recently the Uttar Pradesh government announced that solar power generation in the state has increased 10 times in the last 8 years.  

Key Points 

• About the issue: 
  •  The Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) shared this information to mark the completion of eight years of the current government. 
  • The total installed capacity of solar power in the state was 288 MW in the year 2017 , which is expected to increase to 2653 MW in 2025 . 
• Efforts of Uttar Pradesh in the field of solar energy: 
  • Solar Energy Policy – 2022 : 
    • Target to produce 22 thousand MW of solar energy in 5 years. 
    • This policy has been made with the aim of reducing dependence on fossil fuels in future. 
  • Solar Power Park in Bundelkhand : 
    • A solar park of 4,000 MW capacity is being developed in the Bundelkhand region. 
    • Development of 800 MW solar projects in Chitrakoot, Banda and other areas. 
  • Rooftop and Floating Solar Plants : 
    • 508 MW solar rooftop projects have been installed on the rooftops of houses. 
• Under this scheme, subsidies are being provided to the people of the state by the Uttar Pradesh government and the central government. 
  • Uttar Pradesh ranks third in solar rooftop installations after Gujarat and Maharashtra.
• The state's first floating solar plant has been installed in Dibiyapur of Auraiya and a floating solar plant of 1 GW capacity is being installed in Lalitpur.
  

Solar Energy 

• Solar energy, known as energy obtained from the sun, is a clean and renewable energy source. It is harnessed through solar technology, which is mainly of two types: 
  • Solar Thermal : In this the heat of the sun is used to heat water. 
  • Solar Photovoltaic (PV) : It uses the photovoltaic effect to convert the sun's rays into electrical energy. 
• Use of solar energy: 
  • Solar technologies are scalable and flexible, capable of powering entire cities through solar farms. 
  • Electricity can be supplied even to remote areas through decentralized systems. 
  • Homes and commercial buildings can be provided with energy by installing solar panels on rooftops. 
    • Example : Cochin International Airport is one such example where solar energy is being used effectively. 
• Importance: 
  • Reduction in dependence on fossil fuels . 
  • Reducing carbon emissions . 
  • Improvement in air quality . 
  • Promote energy access and security . 

Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency 

• The Uttar Pradesh Government established the Alternative Energy Development Institute in April 1983, functioning as an autonomous body.  
• Later the name of this organization was changed to Uttar  Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) . 
• This agency also acts as the state nodal agency for the implementation of various schemes in the state