The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has clarified that the solar PV projects are not required to obtain environmental clearance. The ministry has issued this notification after it received a query regarding applicability of ElA Notification 2006 in respect to the solar PV projects. The ministry has noted that the EIA Notification 2006 does not enlists solar PV as the project activities that are required to obtain an environmental clearance.

The clarification from the ministry would bring relief to several project developers who are planning to set up solar PV projects. Projects under government- backed programs like the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) or the state solar energy initiatives have a fixed time schedule for setting up and commissioning of the power plants. Obtaining environmental clearance may sometimes take much longer than desired resulting in delay in the commissioning of the project. Some states like Gujarat have already announced penalties for project developers who fail to meet their commissioning schedule.

Similar penalties have been announced by the central government as well for the projects developers involved in projects under JNNSM. This notification is in stark contrast to the approach taken by the ministry regarding environmental clearances for coal-based power plants. The ministry has openly expressed reservations about granting environmental clearances for several thermal power plants and connected coal blocks. Source: Climate Connect, May 16