Many developers still quote the Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy 2019 when they size a park in Jaisalmer or Bikaner. That policy no longer governs new projects. The rules that set your land area, deposits and annual charges now sit in the Rajasthan Integrated Clean Energy Policy, 2024.
Quick answer. In 2026, Rajasthan solar policy means the Rajasthan Integrated Clean Energy Policy, 2024 (RICEP 2024), in force until 29 March 2029. It targets 90,000 MW of solar by 2029-30. Solar parks register with Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation (RREC). Government land is capped at 2.0 hectares per MW for fixed crystalline PV, and a ₹1 lakh per MW security deposit applies. Banking and wheeling follow current RERC regulations.
TL;DR
- RICEP 2024 replaced the 2019 solar policy and the 2023 RE policy. Projects registered under those keep their numbers but follow the new rules.
- Private parks apply online to RREC. RREC must process the registration within 30 days.
- Land caps run from 2.0 to 3.0 hectares per MW, depending on technology and trackers.
- Solar sold outside Rajasthan DISCOMs pays a facilitation charge of ₹50,000 per hectare per year for the life of the project.
- A large SPV project (over 50 MW) must be complete within 24 months of clearance.
This guide is for the developer, IPP or EPC bid team planning a utility-scale or park-based project in Rajasthan. All clause numbers refer to the Rajasthan Integrated Clean Energy Policy, 2024 (Energy Department, Government of Rajasthan), accessed 6 October 2026. For the comparison with other states, see our state solar policies in India hub.
Which Rajasthan Solar Policy Applies in 2026?
RICEP 2024 is the current policy. The state released it in December 2024, ahead of the Rising Rajasthan investment summit, as Mercom India reported (2024). Clause 3.2 keeps it in force until 29 March 2029, unless a newer policy supersedes it.
Clause 15.6 handles legacy projects. Projects registered under the Solar Energy Policy 2019, the Wind and Hybrid Energy Policy 2019 or the RE Policy 2023 keep their registration number. They must apply for in-principle clearance within 2 years of the new policy starting, or the registration lapses.
One amendment matters for park-scale land. On 5 August 2025 the Energy Department inserted clause 16.2.6 (notification F.20(40)Energy/2025/04269), as summarized by TeamLease RegTech (2025). It is covered in the land section below. We found no later amendment as of 6 October 2026, so check the Energy Department site before you bid.
What are the capacity targets?
Clause 4.1 sets a target of 1,25,000 MW of renewable capacity by 2029-30:
| Segment | Target by 2029-30 (MW) |
|---|---|
| Solar | 90,000 |
| Wind and hybrid | 25,000 |
| Hydro, pumped storage and battery storage | 10,000 |
Clause 4.3 also says the state will develop projects that sell power to buyers other than Rajasthan DISCOMs. That includes captive use inside and outside the state.
How Does a Solar Park Get Developed Under RICEP 2024?
Clause 10 gives three routes. Pick the route first, because it decides who builds the evacuation system and who carries the land risk.
| Route | Clause | Who builds common infrastructure | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private sector park | 10.2 | The private RE Power Park Developer (REPPD) | Online application to RREC, processed within 30 days |
| Joint venture park | 10.3 | The JV company | State equity up to 50%, with allotted land counted as equity |
| MNRE solar park or UMREPP | 10.5 | Agency designated by MNRE | Registration charge of ₹10,000 per MW plus GST, capped at ₹20 lakh per park |
RREC also develops parks itself through Rajasthan Solar Park Development Company Ltd., its subsidiary SPV (clause 10.1).
What does a private park developer have to build?
Clause 10.2(ii) obliges the REPPD to create the common infrastructure. That means the power evacuation system, roads, lighting, water supply and administrative facilities.
The developer also registers every project inside the park with RREC (clause 10.2(vi)). RREC is to issue a standard operating procedure for park development (clause 10.2(vii)).
Can a park use private agricultural land?
Yes. Clause 10.2(iii) lets an REPPD buy farmland from title holders (Khatedars) above the ceiling limit, under the Rajasthan Imposition of Ceiling on Agriculture Holding Act, 1973.
Clause 10.2(iv) removes the need for land conversion under the Rajasthan Tenancy Act 1955 and the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act 1956. That cuts one approval step from the land plan.
How Much Land Can You Get Per MW?
Government land is allotted under the Rajasthan Land Revenue (Allotment of Land for setting up of Power Plant based on Renewable Energy Sources) Rules, 2007. Clause 16.3 caps the area by technology:
| Technology | Max land, solar plant (ha/MW) | Max land, hybrid plant (ha/MW) |
|---|---|---|
| Crystalline PV, fixed | 2.0 | 2.5 |
| Crystalline PV with tracker | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Thin film or amorphous PV | 3.0 | 2.25 |
Storage adds land under separate Revenue Department rules. This cap is a design constraint, not a formality.
A tracker layout at a low ground coverage ratio can exceed 2.0 ha/MW quickly. Run the layout before you apply. Our ground mount solar design guide shows how row pitch drives area.
What did the August 2025 amendment change?
Clause 16.2.6 lets the state set apart land for RE or green hydrogen projects of 1,000 MW and above. It covers developers who signed MoUs at the Rising Rajasthan summit but hold no PPA or CTU/STU connectivity yet.
The developer deposits ₹1 lakh per MW. At least one third of the land must be formally allotted within 3 years, two thirds within 6 years, and all of it within 9 years.
What Deposits and Charges Apply?
Four money lines appear in a Rajasthan park budget. All amounts below are as written in RICEP 2024. GST applies on top where the clause says so.
| Item | Clause | Amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration, project 10 MW or less | 15.3 | ₹5,000 per project | Projects outside new parks |
| Registration, over 10 MW up to 100 MW | 15.3 | ₹20,000 per MW | Projects outside new parks |
| Registration, over 100 MW | 15.3 | ₹20 lakh plus ₹10,000 per MW | Projects outside new parks |
| Land security deposit | 16.2 | ₹1 lakh per MW | Before RREC recommends government land |
| Renewable Energy Development and Facilitation Charge (REDFC) | 22.1 | ₹50,000 per hectare per year | Solar sold to buyers other than Rajasthan DISCOMs |
Projects inside a new RE park registered after the policy started do not pay the project registration charge (note to clause 15.3). The park pays instead.
Who pays REDFC, and who is exempt?
REDFC applies for the full project life from commissioning. Clauses 22.3 and 22.4 exempt solar projects commissioned after the policy start that sell to Rajasthan DISCOMs or serve captive use inside the state.
The policy gives an alternative to paying REDFC. The developer can supply 7% of generation to Rajasthan DISCOMs free of cost, by installing extra capacity to cover it.
When is the security deposit lost?
Under clause 16.2, the land deposit is refunded in proportion to commissioned capacity. It is forfeited if the allotted land is not used within the period set by the allotment rules.
For non-bid projects, clause 20.5 adds a withdrawal rule. Withdraw within 6 months of depositing and you lose 25%, with 75% refunded on written request.
Worked Example: A 300 MW Park Project for a C&I Buyer
Here is the policy math for a 300 MW fixed-tilt crystalline project on government land, selling to a third party, outside a new RE park. Treat it as an illustration of the clauses, not a quote or financial advice.
| Line | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum government land | 300 MW x 2.0 ha/MW | 600 ha |
| Land security deposit | 300 MW x ₹1 lakh | ₹3 crore |
| Registration charge | ₹20 lakh + (300 x ₹10,000) | ₹50 lakh + GST |
| REDFC if all 600 ha used | 600 ha x ₹50,000 | ₹3 crore per year |
| REDFC alternative | 7% of generation, free to DISCOMs | about 21 MW of extra capacity |
| Completion deadline | SPV over 50 MW | 24 months from clearance |
Two decisions follow. First, a tighter layout lowers REDFC every year, because the charge is per hectare used. Second, the 7% option is a capex trade against a recurring charge, so model both before the bid.
The registration line uses the policy text as written. Confirm with RREC whether the ₹10,000 per MW applies to all capacity or only above 100 MW.
How Do Approvals and Grid Connection Work?
Bid projects under clause 9.1 follow their bid documents and skip State Sanction Committee clearance (clause 19.1). Captive and third-party projects go through RREC clearance on five criteria in clause 19.2:
- Detailed project report.
- Land availability.
- Power evacuation availability for the project.
- Water availability, for solar thermal only.
- Evidence of a PPA, or an undertaking for open access or exchange sale.
After clearance, the developer deposits ₹1 lakh per MW within one month, or within 3 months with 9% interest (clause 20.1). RREC then recommends the project to the DISCOMs, Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (RVPN) or CTUIL for the wheeling, banking or open access agreement.
STU or CTU?
Clause 21.2 says a project using the RVPN or CTUIL network signs a separate transmission agreement. RVPN is the state transmission utility (STU). CTUIL is the central transmission utility (CTU). Our guide to STU vs CTU transmission planning explains which route fits which buyer.
Inter-state connections also follow the CEA technical standards covered in our CEA connectivity regulations guide. Evacuation is often the real constraint in western Rajasthan, as our analysis of grid curtailment in India explains.
Banking, wheeling and electricity duty
RICEP 2024 does not set these numbers itself. Clauses 17.3 and 17.5 defer banking, transmission and wheeling charges to the prevailing Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) regulations. Check the current RERC order on the day you model energy banking and open access costs. Our 2026 state guide to open access compares Rajasthan with other states.
Incentives come through the Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme (RIPS) 2024. Clause 17.1.1 lists a 100% electricity duty exemption for 7 years and a 75% stamp duty exemption, for eligible units.
Common Misreadings of Rajasthan Solar Policy
| Misreading | What RICEP 2024 says |
|---|---|
| ”The 2019 solar policy still applies” | Replaced; legacy registrations move to the 2024 rules (clause 15.6) |
| “Net-metered rooftop needs RREC registration” | No. Net and gross metered projects are exempt (clause 15.10) |
| “Bidders must register before bidding” | No. Only successful bidders register (clause 15.9) |
| “Land area is negotiable” | Capped by technology under clause 16.3 |
| ”Captive projects pay REDFC” | Solar captive use inside the state is exempt (clause 22.4) |
For rooftop net metering, the DISCOM process matters more than this policy. See our JVVNL net metering guide for Jaipur zone.
Where Engineering Changes the Policy Outcome
Three policy numbers are set by the design, not the developer’s intent. Land area per MW comes from the layout. REDFC comes from the hectares used. The completion clock depends on how fast drawings reach the IFC stage.
That is why the DPR, layout and evacuation plan should be ready before the RREC application. Our ground mount design team prepares layouts, civil and structural packages, and cable routing for utility-scale projects. For early land checks, see site survey and land feasibility and our solar feasibility study in India guide.
Lenders will also test these choices. Our guide to lender due diligence engineering in India lists what they review.
FAQ
Is the Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy 2019 still valid?
No, not for new projects. RICEP 2024 now governs. Older registrations carry over but must seek in-principle clearance within 2 years of the new policy starting.
Who is the nodal agency for solar parks in Rajasthan?
Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation (RREC). It registers projects and parks, recommends government land, and clears non-bid projects.
Does Rajasthan charge a fee on solar power sold outside the state?
Yes. Solar sold to buyers other than Rajasthan DISCOMs pays REDFC of ₹50,000 per hectare per year, unless the developer supplies 7% of generation free to the DISCOMs.
How long does a developer have to commission?
Under Annexure A1, SPV projects up to 20 MW get 15 months, 20 to 50 MW get 18 months, and over 50 MW get 24 months from clearance. Bid projects follow their bid documents.
Next Step
Before you file with RREC, test your layout against the 16.3 land cap and the REDFC math above. If you want a utility-scale layout and DPR inputs prepared for a Rajasthan site, send us the project details and we reply within 1 business day.
Policy facts here were checked against RICEP 2024 on 6 October 2026; verify current RERC orders and any new amendment with RREC before you act.