Overview
Bolangir is a 25 MW operational solar PV plant in India, contributing to the country's renewable energy capacity under national solar targets.
Bolangir is a solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant located in the Bolangir region of Odisha, India. With a capacity of 25 MW, it is a medium-scale solar facility that supports India's ambitious renewable energy goals. The plant is operational and feeds clean electricity into the regional grid, helping to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The plant operates under India's National Solar Mission, which aims to achieve 100 GW of solar capacity by 2022 and 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030. Solar PV technology converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor materials, and Bolangir benefits from the high solar irradiance typical of the region. The facility's capacity of 25 MW places it in the mid-range for utility-scale solar projects in India, which often range from 10 MW to over 100 MW. Environmentally, Bolangir contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution by displacing coal-fired power. The plant's location in a semi-arid region minimizes land-use conflicts, though solar farms require significant land area. Grid integration is managed through state-level renewable energy policies, and the plant supports local energy security and rural development.
Environmental context
The Bolangir region in Odisha experiences high solar insolation, making it suitable for solar PV generation. Solar plants like Bolangir help mitigate climate change by reducing carbon emissions, but they require large land areas, which can impact local ecosystems and land use. Proper siting and environmental management are essential to minimize habitat disruption and maintain biodiversity.
Frequently asked questions
The Bolangir solar PV plant is located in the Bolangir district of Odisha, India, at coordinates 20.553° N, 83.371° E.
The Bolangir solar plant has a capacity of 25 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale utility solar facility.
The operator of the Bolangir solar plant is not publicly listed, but it is operational and connected to the Indian grid.
India's solar energy is supported by the National Solar Mission, state-level renewable portfolio obligations, and various incentives like accelerated depreciation and viability gap funding.
The Bolangir plant adds 25 MW of clean energy capacity, helping India achieve its target of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030 and reducing carbon emissions.