The National Institute of Solar Energy, working under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, has stated that Virudhunagar district has the maximum potential for ground-mounted solar power generation in Tamil Nadu and is estimated at around 24 GW. The report identified that about 10 % of wasteland of Tamil Nadu can be utilized for solar development, which constitutes an overall capacity potential of approximately 205 GW. It had also estimated a land requirement of 0.29 km² per 50 MW solar power plant. The total prospective wasteland area in the state suitable for such plants was estimated at 1,357.71 km² based on land availability and irradiance levels. Trichy, Tirunelveli, and Tuticorin districts stood next with a potential of 13 GW, 12 GW, and 12 GW, respectively, whereas all other districts were less than 10 GW.