Q. With reference to solar power production in India, consider the following statements:

  1. India is the third-largest in the world in the manufacture of silicon wafers used in photovoltaic units.
  2. The solar power tariffs are determined by the Solar Energy Corporation of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • 1 only
  • 2 only
  • Both 1 and 2
  • Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Notes:

  • Not a single silicon chip for solar energy is manufactured in India.
  • Every solar panel which is made in India is assembled while all the material comes other countries.
  • India is yet to develop semiconductor clusters.
  • India plans to invest $480 million to set up its first unit for manufacturing solar silicon cells that will feed a project to build the world’s largest solar power plant.
  • Central Electricity Regulatory Commission regulate the tariff of generating companies owned or controlled by the Central Government.
  • Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has a power trading license.
Central Electricity Regulatory Commission
  • Central Electricity Regulatory Commission is the Central Commission for the Electricity Act, 2003 which has repealed the ERC Act, 1998 which works under the Ministry of Power.
  • Composition:
    • A chairperson
    • Four other members
    • The Chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority(CEA) is the ex-officio Member of the Commission.
  • Functions:
    • To regulate the tariff of generating companies owned or controlled by the Central Government;
    • To regulate the inter-State transmission of electricity;
    • To determine tariff for such transmission of electricity.
  • CERC also advises the Central Government on the formulation of the National Electricity Policy and Tariff Policy.