Launched in January 2010, the National Solar Mission (NSM) was the first mission to be operationalized under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). Using a three-phase approach, the mission’s objective is to establish India as a global leader in solar energy, by creating the policy conditions for solar technology diffusion across the country as quickly as possible.
A range of policy instruments has been adopted to implement this mission. The revised tariff policy requires all States to reach 10.5 per cent solar RPO by the year 2022. Solar water heaters and rooftop Solar systems have been promoted in government, commercial and residential areas through regulatory
intervention such as mandates under building by-laws and its incorporation in the National Building Code. Off-grid and rooftop solar applications have been promoted through the provision of subsidies from the central government. Research and development are also being encouraged through approvals of R&D projects and the establishment of centres of excellence by the Ministry. These measures led to a decline in the purchase prices of solar power in the country.
