Solar and Storage Expo 2026 Highlights Rajasthan Energy Policies
Source:solarquarter ↗
Why It Matters
Solar and renewable energy policy details, nodal implementing agencies (such as RRECL), regulatory institutions (RERC), and national energy-security schemes are highly recurring themes in the RPSC RAS Prelims Exam.
Summary
The 6th Edition of the Solar & Storage Expo Rajasthan 2026 took place on June 25, 2026, in Jaipur, emerging as a critical platform for discussing Rajasthan\'s clean energy transition, policy reforms, and investments. The event hosted key government representatives from the Department of Energy and the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC), and held focused meets on major public programs like PM-KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, reinforcing Rajasthan\'s continuous leadership in solar power adoption and regulation.
Key Points
- The 6th Edition of the Solar & Storage Expo Rajasthan 2026 was organized on June 25, 2026, at The Lalit in Jaipur, aiming to bring together policymakers, developers, and industry experts.
- Shri Navin Arora, Advisor (Energy) to the Government of Rajasthan, and Shri Ram Avtar Sharma, the Electricity Ombudsman of the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC), participated as Guests of Honour, representing the administrative and regulatory oversight of the state\'s power sector.
- The event featured dedicated interactive forums including the PM-KUSUM Meet, PM Surya Ghar Meet, and Energy Storage Meet, focusing on grassroots execution of key national decentralized solar schemes.
- Historically, Rajasthan is a pioneer in solar energy policies; it announced India\'s first dedicated state solar policy in 2011 and launched the landmark Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy, 2019, targeting 30 GW of solar capacity.
- Forums highlighted schemes like PM-KUSUM (with Component A implemented locally by the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Limited) and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (providing up to 300 units of free electricity per month for 1 crore households via online digital integration).
Important Terms
PM-KUSUM
A central scheme launched in 2019 by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to provide financial and policy support for solarizing agricultural pumps and generating decentralized solar energy on farm-lands.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Agriculture & Infrastructure). Tests understanding of decentralized solar schemes, sustainable irrigation, and initiatives boosting farmer incomes.
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
Launched in February 2024, this central scheme aims to provide up to 300 units of free electricity monthly to one crore Indian households through subsidies and low-interest loans for rooftop solar installations.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Infrastructure: Energy). Tests knowledge of national rooftop solar programs, green transition mechanisms, and financial subsidies.
Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Limited (RRECL)
A state government-owned nodal agency formed by merging RSPCL and REDA, responsible for promoting, registering, and implementing renewable energy and energy conservation projects in Rajasthan.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Infrastructure). Tests knowledge of state-level institutional frameworks driving clean energy development and public-private coordination.
Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC)
A statutory body established under the Electricity Act to regulate electricity tariffs, facilitate green energy open access, and oversee power sector reforms in Rajasthan.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Regulatory Bodies). Tests understanding of tariff determination, regulatory compliance, and peak-demand power management strategies.
Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy, 2019
A landmark state framework implemented in December 2019 targeting the installation of 30,000 MW of solar power capacity in Rajasthan by fiscal year 2024-25.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Infrastructure). Tests understanding of regional policy frameworks, solar targets, and state contributions to India's net-zero goals.
Prelims Trap
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a mandatory 60:40 funding split between Center and States.
It is a Central Sector Scheme (100% centrally funded). State top-up subsidies (like Rajasthan's ₹17,000) are entirely voluntary and supplementary, not a statutory cost-sharing requirement.
Static Concepts Connected
What are the three core components of the PM-KUSUM scheme?
- Component A: Focuses on setting up 10,000 MW of decentralized, grid-connected renewable power plants (0.5-2 MW) on barren agricultural lands.
- Component B: Supports installation of 20 lakh standalone solar-powered agriculture pumps for off-grid irrigation.
- Component C: Aims at solarisation of 15 lakh grid-connected agricultural pumps, including individual and feeder-level solarisation.
What are the regulatory roles of State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs)?
- Tariff determination: They determine the tariffs for electricity generation, transmission, and wheeling within the state.
- RPO enforcement: They mandate and monitor Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs) for distribution companies to ensure clean energy uptake.
- Dispute adjudication: They adjudicate disputes between power developers and state-owned distribution utilities (DISCOMs).
Cross-Topic Patterns
Federalism in green energy subsidy
State-funded top-ups over central solar subsidies demonstrate how states customize central sector schemes to address localized energy deficits and political manifestos.
DISCOM financial health vs. Solarisation
Decentralized rooftop solar reduces high-paying residential demand, disrupting the cross-subsidy model of state DISCOMs and impacting power sector reform programs.
Expect a statement-based prelims question comparing PM-KUSUM components with PM Surya Ghar's subsidy and model solar village mandates.
Linked PYQs · 4
Linked PYQs · 4
- 2021RPSC_PRELIMSGS1
In which year was the Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy announced?
- 2012RPSC_PRELIMSGS1
The first solar energy policy was announced by the Government of Rajasthan in -
- 2025RPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Which of the following statements are correct with respect to the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme? (i) Under this scheme, solar plants will be installed on one crore houses to provide free electricity up to 300 units per month. (ii) Provision of 30% subsidy for installing rooftop solar plants (iii) 100% online system for registration, application, approval and grant (iv) Provision of lending to each applicant at a bank interest rate of 4%
- 2023RPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Which agency has been given the responsibility of implementing the PM-KUSUM scheme (Component A) in Rajasthan, which involves the establishment of solar power plants with a capacity of 0.5 MW to 2 MW?
