Determinants of success for promoting solar energy in Rajasthan, India

Out of a total 1100 MW new project allocations, Rajasthan received the maximum share of 873 MW (i.e., 79.36% of all India allocations) through competitive bidding in the first phase of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). Furthermore, 722 reputed companies have already registered their interest for setting up of solar power plants amounting to a total capacity of 16,900 MW in Rajasthan. This preference is often attributed to geographical and climatic advantage of Rajasthan. Yet it remains unclear why some other States with similar climatic and geographical factors are less favored by investors? Here we argue that the answer to this paradox lies in other determinants such as policy, infrastructure, facilitation and governance that make Rajasthan a lucrative investment opportunity. The fact that our argument is robust is also validated by other studies that indentify critical barriers which if removed may provide enabling environment to solar energy development in India. Accordingly, we present a practitioner perspective and review the initiatives responsible for accelerated development of solar energy in Rajasthan. We also envision the future course of actions for this promising solar hotspot in western India. Understanding early ground-level efforts for solar energy development in Thar desert of Rajasthan may prove valuable for other regions in India and elsewhere.