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 ?
Show answer
Answer: D. Statement 1 is wrong: India is not the third largest maker of silicon wafers; it imports most of its solar cells and wafers, mainly from China. Statement 2 is wrong: solar tariffs are set by electricity regulatory commissions (CERC/SERCs) or discovered through competitive bidding, not by SECI. So neither.
Watch for: SECI runs solar auctions, so students think it also fixes the tariff.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wrong because India is not a major wafer manufacturer.
- B. Wrong because SECI does not determine tariffs.
- C. Wrong because both statements are false.
Source to check: Electricity Act, 2003, Sections 62 and 63; Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (mnre.gov.in); SECI website 'About Us'
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.