Evaluation of relative performance of Indian states in PV resource utilization through MPI

Abstract

Abstract To participate in the global fight against climate change, India has set an aggressive target of installing 100 GW of photovoltaic (PV) energy resources by 2022. However, only about 37% of this target is achieved till date, and, presently, the set target appears to be elusive. Hence it is crucial and the need of the hour to analyze the performance of different utilities to identify the regions that need a course correction. In the present work, the relative performance of the Indian states in realizing the national target of PV installed capacity is analyzed through the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model. Time series analysis of the PV sector’s growth in different Indian states over the period 2017–2021 is quantified through the Malmquist productivity index (MPI). The applied methodology revealed that Rajasthan, which has the highest PV potential and second-highest PV installed capacity, is less productive than the small hilly states and union territories, which have meager PV potential. The result provides insight into the factors contributing to the inefficiencies in the development of the PV energy sector, which will help the policymakers take necessary corrective actions to improve the states’ productivity and thereby contribute more effectively to the national goal. The work may be extended to other regions of the world to strengthen the global effort to fight climate change.