State PCS - Rajasthan (RAS)

• 25 Jul 2025

Rajasthan Inaugurates 435 MW Solar Power Plant

Why in News? 

The Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy inaugurated the 435 MW Gorbea Solar Power Project in Rajasthan’s Bikaner district, marking a significant milestone in India’s renewable energy journey. 

Key Points 

• The project spans 1,250 acres and will produce 755 GWh of clean electricity annually (prevent 705,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year), meeting the needs of approximately 128,000 households. 
  • The project features over 1,300 robotic cleaning units to maintain module efficiency. 
• Rajasthan’s renewable energy capacity now comprises 70% of its total power capacity, including 29.5 GW from solar power and 5.2 gigawatts from wind, positioning the state as a leader in India's green energy push. 
  • As per the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (as of June 2025), Rajasthan (31,967 MW), Gujarat (21,451 MW), and Maharashtra (12,575 MW) are the leading states in terms of installed solar energy capacity.  
    • Gujarat (13,816 MW), Tamil Nadu (11,830 MW), Karnataka (7,714 MW), Maharashtra (5,307 MW), and Rajasthan (5,208 MW) are the leading states in wind power generation. 
  • Rajasthan’s Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024, which aims to achieve 125 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. 
• With India reaching 50% of its total installed power capacity from non-fossil sources, five years ahead of the 2030 deadline, the Gorbea project highlights the country’s commitment to environmental sustainability, climate goals, and economic growth through its transition to clean energy. 

Note:

• New Waterless Solar Panel Cleaning Method: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) engineers developed a waterless, no-contact cleaning method using electrostatic repulsion to remove dust from solar panels. 
• A simple electrode passes above the solar panel’s surface, imparting an electrical charge to dust particles, which are then repelled by a charge on the panel, causing them to detach and virtually leap off the surface. 

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