Solar Federalism: what Explains Variation in Indian States Support for Solar?
Abstract
Since the government of India quintupled its solar electricity target for 2022 from 20GW to 100GW, the country has made ambitious strides in installed solar capacity. However, there has been considerable variation in state performance in support for solar that is not explained by solar radiation. What accounts for why some Indian states have been more supportive of solar electricity than others? This paper uses qualitative methods, including elite interviews, to understand the performance of India states. We present data from the Indian government on estimated solar capacity and actual installed capacity as of 2018. We then classify states into leaders, middle, laggard, and no show states based on the installed capacity per capita as well as the share of solar compared to peak energy demand. We then assess the potential reasons for the differential performance of Indian states, derived from a literature review and deductive reasoning. To understand the key drivers of differential policy performance in leaders, middle, and laggard states, we conducted a deeper dive of exemplar states from each category, including Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. In terms of the key drivers, we tentatively include power supply balance and land acquisition. We also believe leadership and state capacity play a role. States with power deficits were more likely to add solar (Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh). States where land was scarce or politically contested were less likely to add solar capacity (Maharashtra). States with political leadership and administrative capacity were more likely to add capacity (Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh), depending on the power balance. Subnational variation in support for solar will have momentous consequences for India's ability to meet its solar commitments. Creating a sustainable business model and robust political support for clean energy will require organizational changes in the way India's electricity sector is governed.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFMGC24D..07B
- Keywords:
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- 1630 Impacts of global change;
- GLOBAL CHANGE;
- 4329 Sustainable development;
- NATURAL HAZARDS;
- 6319 Institutions;
- POLICY SCIENCES & PUBLIC ISSUES;
- 6620 Science policy;
- POLICY SCIENCES & PUBLIC ISSUES