81271346-Identifying and Supporting the Uptake of Innovative New Solar PV Areas in India

India has set a target for the installation of 450 GW of Renewable Energy by 2030 and it is expected the total power requirement of the country would be around 2400 BU (2325+75) and the installed capacity would be around 817 GW. As per the latest figure from Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the total installed grid connected capacity from renewable source is 93 GW, out of which 38 GW is from Solar PV as on 28 February 2021. At present, the government had opted for a two- fold strategy to achieve the 100 GW solar target: 1) Large scale solar installation in range of multiple MW to GW through solar parks; and 2) Small scale solar installation through solar rooftops, solar pumps and kW-MW range installation for solarization of agriculture consumers. Furthermore, over the last years the government had shifted more and more its strategy from only solar and wind installations to solar-wind hybrids, round the clock power supply, solar with storage, manufacturing linked solar or RE with thermal blended tenders. Government had also established Ultra Mega RE Parks in strategic locations across the international border in Kutch, Gujarat of 30 GW capacity and 10 GW capacity in Ladhak. The core problem that should be addressed with this assignment is the lack of suitable, low-competitive space in order to increase the existing expansion potential and to be able to realize future expansion goals. If this does not succeed, e.g. by adapting proven technologies for new applications, the conversion of India's energy system to a low-carbon or even zero-carbon system and the achievement of the climate targets — including globally - would be at risk. Thus, there is requirement of such type of solar PV applications which should complement with the land use and not compete for it. Under such scenarios, identification of new applications and the development and implementation of innovative PV technologies and applications for new/unconventional areas is imperative while always taking into account the potential land-use-conflicts, restriction of natural habitats and other problems such as land acquisition and right-of-way, due to the fragmented land ownership or unclear ownerships. Under the Indo-German technical cooperation, the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany is cooperating with the Government of India on the project, Indo-German Energy Program — New Innovative Solar. The project is financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and is being implemented by GIZ together with MNRE, the Government of India. The aim of the new project is to support India's development of innovative solar technologies in addition to rooftop and open-air solar installations in order to reduce potential future land-conflict.