Green clearance: Govt eases rules for solar parks

• Environmental clearance to no longer apply to solar power projects
• Solar projects will however be subject to other relevant laws
• Agricultural, forest and bio-diversity rich areas are off limits

In a relief to solar power developers, the 2006 law which mandates environmental clearance for various projects, will no longer apply to solar PV (photovoltaic) power projects, solar thermal power projects and solar parks.

Disposal of PV cells will be covered under the provisions of Hazardous and Other Waste (Management and Trans-Boundary Movement) Rules, 2016. The development of solar parks will be covered under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

However, solar projects cannot be set up on any agricultural land, wetlands and biodiversity- rich areas. A proper resettlement and rehabilitation plan should be in place for the displaced. Projects around forest land would need forest clearance and a site should conform to coastal norms if it falls in such an area.

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