Overview
Sardargarh is a 100 MW operational solar PV facility in Punjab, India. It contributes to India's renewable energy capacity under national solar targets.
Sardargarh is a 100 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant located in Punjab, India. The facility is operational and represents a medium-to-large scale solar installation within the Indian renewable energy landscape. India has set ambitious targets for solar energy under its National Solar Mission, aiming for 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. The plant uses solar PV technology to convert sunlight into electricity. With a capacity of 100 MW, it can power approximately 60,000 Indian households annually. The facility operates under India's regulatory framework, which includes renewable purchase obligations (RPOs) for state utilities and competitive bidding for solar tariffs. Gujarat and Rajasthan lead in solar capacity, but Punjab is also expanding its solar footprint. Environmentally, solar PV plants like Sardargarh have minimal water consumption and low operational emissions. The plant supports grid stability and reduces dependence on fossil fuels. Its location in Punjab, an agricultural state, aligns with India's strategy to deploy solar on non-agricultural land, minimizing land-use conflicts.
Environmental context
Solar PV plants in Punjab benefit from high solar insolation, with over 300 sunny days per year. The region's agricultural landscape means careful siting is needed to avoid fertile farmland. Solar installations can help reduce groundwater pumping for irrigation when paired with agrivoltaics. The plant's operation displaces coal-fired power, reducing local air pollution and carbon emissions.
Frequently asked questions
The Sardargarh solar PV plant is located in Punjab, India, at coordinates 30.2190 N, 74.7610 E.
The Sardargarh solar plant has an installed capacity of 100 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-to-large scale solar facility.
The plant uses solar photovoltaic (PV) technology to convert sunlight into electricity.
India's solar energy projects operate under the National Solar Mission, state-level renewable purchase obligations (RPOs), and competitive bidding for tariffs. The government targets 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
The plant generates clean electricity, reducing reliance on coal-fired power and lowering carbon emissions. Solar PV also has minimal water consumption compared to thermal power plants.