The purpose of obtaining an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) for a solar project is to comply with the Environmental Management Act, 2007 and its EIA Regulations, which require that certain listed activities including the construction and operation of electricity generation facilities like photovoltaic solar farms may not proceed without an ECC. The certificate ensures that the project’s environmental and social impacts have been properly identified, assessed, and mitigated through the EIA process, that sustainable development principles are applied, and that public and regulatory authorities have had an opportunity to participate before approval is granted.