Mapping Solar Energy Potential and Regional Opportunities in Haryana, India: A Spatial Assessment (2000–2025)

Abstract

Rising energy demand, environmental degradation, and dependence on conventional energy sources have increased the importance of renewable energy development in Haryana. This study assesses the district-level spatial potential of solar energy across the state for 2000–2025 using secondary data on average temperature, sunshine duration, cloud cover, and relative humidity obtained from governmental and meteorological sources. A Composite Solar Suitability Index (CSSI) was developed by treating sunshine duration and temperature as positive indicators and cloud cover as a negative indicator. The normalised indicators were weighted to generate district-level suitability scores on a 0–100 scale. The results reveal a distinct decline in climatic suitability from western and south-western Haryana towards the north-east. Sirsa, Hisar, Bhiwani, and Fatehabad form the very high suitability zone, while Mahendragarh, Charkhi Dadri, Rewari, Jhajjar, and Jind are highly suitable. Together, these nine districts account for 40.91 per cent of the state’s districts. Moderate-suitability districts retain opportunities for rooftop, industrial, and distributed solar applications because of their built-up areas and electricity demand, whereas the north-eastern districts require more selective deployment because of shorter sunshine duration and greater cloud cover. The findings support a spatially differentiated planning approach for solar development in Haryana. The CSSI provides a comparative climatic basis for district prioritisation, but project-specific decisions should additionally consider measured irradiance, land availability, grid access, environmental constraints, costs, storage requirements, and social acceptance.