Overview
Pathrala is a 4.1 MW solar PV plant in India, operational and contributing to the country's renewable energy capacity. It supports India's goal of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
Pathrala is a solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant located in India, with a capacity of 4.1 megawatts (MW). The facility is operational and contributes to India's growing renewable energy portfolio. Solar PV plants of this scale are common in India, where abundant sunlight supports distributed and utility-scale generation. The plant operates under India's national renewable energy framework, which includes targets under the National Solar Mission and state-level Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs). India aims to reach 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, with solar playing a key role. The 4.1 MW capacity places Pathrala in the small-to-medium scale range for solar PV in India. Environmentally, solar PV plants like Pathrala have low operational emissions but require land use and water for panel cleaning. The plant's location in a semi-arid region of Punjab benefits from high solar insolation. Grid integration of solar power remains a challenge in India, but such distributed plants help stabilize local grids and reduce transmission losses.
Environmental context
The Pathrala solar PV plant is located in a semi-arid region of Punjab, India, which receives high solar insolation year-round. Solar PV installations have minimal water consumption and no direct emissions during operation, but they require land that could otherwise be used for agriculture. The plant's location avoids ecologically sensitive areas, and its small scale reduces visual and land-use impacts. Grid integration of solar power in India is supported by the national grid code and renewable energy certificates.
Frequently asked questions
The Pathrala solar PV plant is located in India, at coordinates 29.9846° N, 74.7522° E, in the state of Punjab.
The Pathrala solar plant has a capacity of 4.1 megawatts (MW), making it a small-to-medium scale solar PV facility.
Pathrala uses solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, which converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor panels.
Pathrala operates under India's National Solar Mission and state-level Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs), contributing to the country's target of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
Solar PV plants produce no direct emissions during operation, have low water consumption, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. They support India's climate goals and energy security.