More Solar Power in the Electricity Mix
250 MW Solar Power Plant in Pavagada Solar Park, Karnataka
With the 250 MW solar project in the Pavagada Solar Park (Pavagada Tehsil, Tumkur District, State of Karnataka), renewable electricity is fed into the Indian power grid to displace fossil-based power generation.
Located in the Pavagada Solar Park in Karnataka, the 250 MW plant generates around 496,000 MWh of renewable electricity per year. This output replaces electricity from the existing grid mix, which in many regions is still heavily fossil-based, thereby avoiding approximately 463,700 tCO₂e per year on average.
A large-scale, reliable solar project that shows: carbon offsetting in the power sector works best when generation and grid feed-in are accurately measured, calculated using approved methodologies, and independently verified.
Technical Project Data – Gold Standard 7534
Key facts about the 250 MW solar project in Karnataka at a glance
| Parameter | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Project Location | India, Karnataka, Pavagada Solar Park | Monitoring Report V4 (24 June 2024) |
| Project Type | Grid-connected solar PV project | Monitoring Report V4 |
| Sector / Scope | Renewable Energy (electricity generation) | Monitoring Report V4 |
| Installed capacity | 250 MW | Monitoring Report V4 |
| Plant structure | 5 × 50 MW (Blocks 1–5) | PDD V5, p. 9 |
| PDD V5, p. 9 | Solar PV with thin-film modules (Cadmium Telluride, CdTe) | PDD V5, p. 9 |
| Module rating | 445 W per module | PDD V5, p. 9 |
| Mounting system | Fixed tilt, approx. 20° | PDD V5, p. 9 |
| Fixed tilt, approx. 20° | SMA Sunny Central 3300 EV (6 units per 50 MW block) | PDD V5, p. 9 |
| Grid connection | Grid connection | Monitoring Report V4 |
| Methodology | ACM0002 – Grid-connected electricity generation from renewable sources (Version 20.0) | Monitoring Report V4 |
| Crediting period | 11 Sept 2020 – 10 Sept 2027 | Monitoring Report V4 |
| Commissioning | Staggered commissioning between Jan 2018 and Jan 2019 | PDD V5, p. 8 |
| Monitoring & verification | Continuous monitoring and independent verification (VVB) under the Gold Standard process | Final Verification Report (FVR), pp. 1–3 |
| Additionality | Demonstrated using the UNFCCC Additionality Tool | PDD V5, p. 23 |
| Permanence | Not applicable as for forestry projects; impact arises from continuous grid feed-in | Monitoring Report V4 |
| Article 6 authorisation | Not indicated in project documentation | PDD V5; Monitoring Report V4 |
| External carbon credit rating | External carbon credit rating | PDD V5; Monitoring Report V4 |
| CCP status (ICVCM) | Not indicated | PDD V5; Monitoring Report V4 |
| Double counting safeguards | Emission reductions are issued exclusively in the Gold Standard registry and can only be claimed once; no parallel use in other schemes or national inventories indicated | Gold Standard Registry; PDD (Regulatory Context) |
What the project can contribute
Here we summarise what the solar project in Karnataka achieves in practice – and why it matters for the climate.
- 1
Supplying renewable electricity to the grid
The project feeds large-scale solar electricity into Karnataka’s regional power grid. Every kilowatt-hour generated comes from solar energy – without coal, gas or oil.
- 2
Displacing fossil power generation
The climate impact arises through displacement: solar electricity replaces power from the existing grid mix, which in many parts of India remains heavily coal-based. Emissions that would otherwise occur in the power sector are avoided.
- 3
Expanding renewable capacity over the long term
With its installed capacity, the project makes a measurable contribution to the expansion of renewable energy in Karnataka and demonstrates that solar power can reliably support electricity supply at utility scale.
- 4
Supporting stable electricity supply
As a grid-connected large-scale facility, the plant supplies electricity over many years and strengthens regional energy infrastructure 2 as a complement to other renewable and conventional generation sources.
- 5
Ensuring measurable and verifiable climate impact
Electricity generation and grid feed-in are continuously measured. Emission reductions are calculated using an approved methodology and transparently documented through monitoring and independent verification.
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Global climate relevance
Avoiding emissions where electricity is generated
India’s electricity mix remains strongly coal-based. Solar power from Karnataka avoids emissions precisely where they would otherwise occur.
Continuous impact instead of one-off effects
Emission reductions are not generated once, but continuously over many years – with every megawatt-hour of solar electricity fed into the grid.
No fuels, no combustion
Solar power requires no fuels, produces no air pollutants and avoids water-intensive cooling processes. This reduces not only CO₂ emissions but also other environmental pressures.
Additionality through climate finance
Revenues from the voluntary carbon market improve the project’s financial viability. They help ensure that renewable electricity generation is implemented earlier and at a larger scale than would otherwise have been possible.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – The relevant and the complementary contributions
In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the Karnataka solar project contributes to the provision of renewable electricity within India’s power system. By feeding solar power into the grid, fossil-based electricity generation is displaced and the expansion of renewable energy is supported. The main contributions relate to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Further goals are supported in a complementary way; some are considered marginal contributions, as they are not part of the project’s core objective.
The project generates solar electricity using photovoltaic technology and feeds it into the regional power grid in Karnataka. In doing so, it expands the energy mix with a clean, renewable energy source and contributes to the long-term availability of low-emission electricity.
Contribution:
Provision of renewable, grid-connected solar power and strengthening of a clean electricity supply.The project generates solar electricity using photovoltaic technology and feeds it into the regional power grid in Karnataka. In doing so, it expands the energy mix with a clean, renewable energy source and contributes to the long-term availability of low-emission electricity.
Contribution:
Provision of renewable, grid-connected solar power and strengthening of a clean electricity supply.As a large-scale energy infrastructure project, the solar plant contributes to the expansion of modern power generation capacity. It strengthens technical infrastructure for renewable energy and supports the long-term transformation of the energy system.
Contribution:
Support for modern energy infrastructure through the expansion of renewable generation capacity.Construction, operation and maintenance of the solar plant require skilled labour and technical services. These effects support local employment and economic activity, although they are not the core focus of the project’s climate impact.
Contribution:
Support for employment and economic activity in the context of renewable energy projects.Construction, operation and maintenance of the solar plant require skilled labour and technical services. These effects support local employment and economic activity, although they are not the core focus of the project’s climate impact.
Contribution:
Support for employment and economic activity in the context of renewable energy projects.
How CO₂ Savings Are Generated
Clean electricity from renewable energy projects replaces fossil-based power. The emissions avoided through this shift can be measured and form the basis for issuing carbon credits.
Renewable power changes the overall energy mix: every kilowatt hour produced by wind, solar or hydropower reduces the need for electricity from coal, gas or oil.
The amount of CO₂ emitted per kilowatt hour varies by country and by fuel type. These official grid emission factors make it possible to calculate how much CO₂ would have been released without the renewable energy project.
For each project, the expected fossil share is compared with the clean electricity actually delivered. The difference shows the verified emission reductions — the real CO₂ savings. These values are reviewed by independent auditors, updated regularly, and form the certified basis for carbon credits.
Context and Transparency
This solar project is registered under the Gold Standard and is subject to regular monitoring and independent verification. The emission reductions presented are based on verified monitoring reports and recognised methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas reductions. The project exemplifies climate action measures in the energy sector that are measurable, transparent and designed for long-term impact.
Legally secure offsetting and measurable impact
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A critical point for companies is legally secure offsetting. Through the use of modern hydropower technologies, we promote an emission-free global energy infrastructure. These technological projects are an essential lever for decarbonization and meet the highest requirements for additionality and transparency – crucial for meeting the requirements of the Green Claims Directive.
The quality of our approach is evident in our own PROJECT TOGO. Here, we combine climate protection with a social transformation that directly contributes to 12 of the 17 SDGs.
Whether through high-quality carbon credits or individual strategies: We offer solutions that combine technological innovation with social impact and guide your company to the regulatory safe side.