Electricity from the sun instead of coal
Bundled Solar Photovoltaic Project by ACME, India
The ACME solar project uses photovoltaic technology to generate renewable electricity at scale and feed it into the public power grid. The installations are located in regions with growing electricity demand and make a direct contribution to energy supply.
By generating solar power, conventional fossil-based electricity generation is displaced. This reduces emissions and lowers dependence on coal-fired power plants. The result is an energy source with long-term impact and measurable climate benefits.
A project that demonstrates how solar energy can be integrated into grid operations – scalable, reliable, and with clearly verifiable impact.
Technical project data – VCS1753
Key facts about the solar project at a glance.
| Parameter | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Project location | India; multiple locations as part of a bundled solar PV project (bundled project) | Project Description & Monitoring Report (PD/MR), Section A.2, pages 10–12 |
| Project type | Bundled, grid-connected solar photovoltaic project (utility-scale solar PV, bundled project) | Project Description & Monitoring Report (PD/MR), Section A.1 “Project Description”, pages 7–9 |
| Project standard | Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) | Validation Representation, page 1 |
| Project Developer | ACME Group | PD/MR, Project Overview, page 7 |
| Installed capacity | Multiple solar PV installations; aggregated installed capacity according to the registered project components | PD/MR, Section A.1, pages 8–9 |
| Technology | Solar energy (photovoltaic power plants) | PD/MR, Technology Description, pages 13–15 |
| Grid connection | Feed-in to the public Indian power grid | PD/MR, Section A.4, pages 18–19 |
| Methodology | AMS-I.D – Grid connected renewable electricity generation (version in accordance with VCS) | PD/MR, Methodology Section, pages 20–21 |
| Project start | Project activities prior to the start of the first crediting period | PD/MR, Section A.1, page 9 |
| Crediting period | Active crediting period under VCS; renewable | PD/MR, Section A.4, pages 19–20 |
| Project status | Registered and verified VCS project, active | Verification Representation, pages 1–2 |
| Annual electricity generation | Electricity generation in accordance with the verified monitoring periods of the bundled project components | Monitoring Reports, respective monitoring section, e.g. pages 6–10 |
| Annual emission reductions | Emission reductions from the displacement of fossil-based electricity generation; project-specific per monitoring period | Verification Representation, pages 3–5 |
| Main impact mechanism | Displacement of fossil-based electricity generation in the Indian power grid through solar electricity | PD/MR, Impact Section, pages 22–24 |
| Monitoring & verification | Regular monitoring of electricity generation and independent verification in accordance with VCS requirements | Monitoring Report & Verification Representation, pages 1–6 |
| Additionality | Economic viability supported by revenues from the carbon market | PD/MR, Additionality Section, pages 25–28 |
| Carbon Credit Rating | Currently no external carbon credit rating has been published for this project. | No rating disclosed in the Verra registry or project documentation |
| Carbon Credit Rating Type | No project-specific external assessment (e.g. by Sylvera, BeZero, MSCI) has been released. | – |
| Article 6 Authorization (Paris Agreement) | No authorization under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement has been granted. The emission reductions are not transferred as ITMOs. | Verra Registry; Project Documentation |
| CCP Status (ICVCM) | No CCP (Core Carbon Principles) classification has been published for this project. | No project-specific ICVCM status available |
| Approach to Double Counting Risks | Emission reductions are clearly assigned in accordance with VCS rules and tracked through the Verra registry. | VCS Rules; Registry Procedures |
| Longevity of Emission Reductions | Permanent emission avoidance over the technical lifetime of the solar PV installations through continuous displacement of fossil-based electricity generation. | Project Description; Monitoring Reports |
| Risk Management & Safeguards | Application of technical standards, regular operation and maintenance, continuous monitoring of electricity generation, and regulatory safeguards under the VCS framework. | Project Documentation; Validation & Verification Reports |
What the project can contribute
Here we summarize what the project is actually intended to achieve and which practical improvements it can enable.
- 1
Integrating solar power into the grid
The ACME Group solar project generates renewable electricity from photovoltaic systems and feeds it directly into the public power grid. This provides electricity that would otherwise be generated from fossil sources – a clear contribution to reducing emissions-intensive power generation.
- 2
Meeting growing electricity demand
The bundled solar installations are developed in regions with increasing energy demand. They expand existing generation capacity and help meet electricity needs reliably over the long term.
- 3
Anchoring renewable energy in the energy system
As a bundled solar PV project, ACME demonstrates how large-scale photovoltaic generation can be systematically integrated into the electricity market. The project supports the structural expansion of renewable energy within India’s power mix.
- 4
Reducing emissions and environmental impacts
Electricity is generated without fuels, combustion processes, or cooling water. Compared to fossil power plants, CO₂ emissions and other air pollutants are avoided, reducing environmental impacts and easing local air quality pressures.
- 5
Demonstrating impact transparently
Electricity generation and emission reductions are regularly monitored and independently verified. This ensures that the project’s climate impact remains transparent, verifiable, and documented over the long term.
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Global climate relevance
Emission reductions
The solar electricity generated by the project replaces electricity from fossil fuel power plants in the Indian grid. Emission reductions occur exactly where electricity is produced – directly, measurably, and transparently. In this way, the project contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in an energy system that remains heavily dependent on coal.
Displacement of fossil fuels in the power mix
All electricity generated by the project is fed into the public power grid. Without the project, this energy would largely be supplied by coal-fired power plants. The solar power displaces fossil baseload generation and reduces long-term dependence on coal-based energy sources.
Resource-efficient electricity generation
Solar power is generated without fuels, combustion processes, or cooling water. There are no exhaust gases, particulate matter, or emission-intensive extraction and transport processes. As a result, solar energy is among the lowest-emission forms of electricity generation.
Additionality
Revenues from the carbon market support the economic implementation of the project. They contribute to financing construction, operation, and monitoring. Without this additional income, the project would have been implemented later, at a smaller scale, or possibly not at all.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – The relevant and the complementary contributions
In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the ACME solar project generates further positive effects for energy supply, the environment, and economic development. The project therefore supports engagement in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The most significant contributions relate to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Additional goals are supported secondarily or as complementary effects. Some SDGs are considered marginal contributions, as their impacts are more indirect.
The project generates electricity from solar energy and feeds it into the public power grid. This provides renewable energy within an energy system that has historically been strongly dominated by fossil sources.
Contribution: Expansion of renewable electricity generation and strengthening of a more climate-friendly energy mix.By displacing fossil-based electricity generation, substantial amounts of CO₂e emissions are avoided each year. Emission reductions occur directly in the power sector and are documented in a measurable way.
Contribution: Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through renewable electricity generation.The construction, operation, and maintenance of the solar installations create employment opportunities and strengthen regional service providers and supply chains.
Contribution: Temporary jobs during the construction phase and permanent positions during ongoing operation.Large-scale solar projects such as this contribute to the expansion of modern energy infrastructure and support the integration of renewable generation into the power grid.
Contribution: Strengthening of energy infrastructure and promotion of technological development in the power sector.Electricity generation takes place without fuels, combustion processes, or resource-intensive extraction chains.
Contribution: More resource-efficient form of energy production, without a direct influence on consumption behaviour.A more stable electricity supply from renewable sources can indirectly support energy security for households and businesses.
Contribution: Supportive effect, but not a direct urban development intervention.
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 Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and is regularly monitored and verified. The reported emission reductions are based on audited monitoring reports and recognised methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas reductions in the power sector.
The project stands as an example of climate action measures in the power sector that combine renewable electricity generation with measurable emission reductions and are transparent, traceable, and designed for long-term impact.