Askandra - DREPL Solar Power Plant: 5 MW Solar PV Facility in Rajasthan, India

Askandra - DREPL Solar Power Plant is a 5 MW solar photovoltaic facility located in Askandra, Rajasthan, India. The plant is owned by DDE Renewable Energy Private Limited (DREPL) and is currently operational. With a capacity of 5 MW, it falls into the small-to-medium scale category for solar PV plants in India, which typically range from 1 MW to 50 MW for ground-mounted installations. The plant operates under India's national renewable energy framework, which includes the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) targeting 100 GW of solar capacity by 2022, and state-level renewable purchase obligations (RPOs). Rajasthan, with its high solar irradiance, is a leading state for solar development. The facility uses standard solar PV technology, converting sunlight directly into electricity without emissions. Environmentally, the plant supports India's goal of reducing carbon intensity and diversifying its energy mix. Solar PV has minimal water consumption compared to thermal plants and no air pollution during operation. The facility's location in a semi-arid region minimizes land-use conflicts, though large-scale solar can impact local ecosystems and require careful siting to avoid habitat disruption.

The plant is situated in the Thar Desert region of Rajasthan, characterized by high solar insolation and arid conditions. Solar PV development in such areas can help meet energy demand while minimizing water use, a critical factor in water-scarce regions. However, large solar farms may alter local land use and affect desert biodiversity, including species adapted to sparse vegetation. Proper site selection and mitigation measures are essential to balance renewable energy expansion with ecological preservation.