The Government of India (GOI) has set a target to achieve 100 GW solar capacity deployment by 2022 to achieve energy security from its abundant untapped solar resource. Several initiatives have been undertaken to give impetus to the RTS sector such as central financial assistance, concessional financing, and technical assistance supports to states. Recently, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has released an advisory on the rooftop solar scheme. The recent MNRE Phase-II Rooftop Solar Program is a progressive step in energizing the sector by incentivizing utilities to take a leading role in RTS development and adopting a renewed focus on the previously underserved residential sector.
To generate solar power by installing solar panels on the roof of the houses, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing Grid-connected Rooftop Solar Scheme (Phase II).
Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar Scheme (Phase II)
Important Points
It aims to achieve a cumulative capacity of 40,000 MW from Rooftop Solar Projects by the year 2022.
To promote the grid-connected SPV rooftop and small SPV power generating plants among the residential, community, institutional, industrial and commercial establishments.
To mitigate the dependence on fossil fuel based electricity generation and encourage environment-friendly Solar electricity generation.
To create an enabling environment for investment in the solar energy sector by the private sector, state government and the individuals.
To create an enabling environment for the supply of solar power from rooftop and small plants to the grid.
This scheme is being implemented in the state by distribution companies (DISCOMs).
Under this scheme the Ministry is providing a 40% subsidy for the first 3 kW and 20% subsidy beyond 3 kW and upto 10 kW of solar panel capacity.
The residential consumer has to pay the cost of rooftop solar plant by reducing the subsidy amount given by the Ministry as per the prescribed rate to the vendor.
Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM)
The scheme covers grid-connected Renewable Energy power plants (0.5–2 MW)/Solar water pumps/grid connected agriculture pumps.
Atal Jyoti Yojana (AJAY)
The AJAY scheme was launched in September 2016 for the installation of solar street lighting (SSL) systems in states with less than 50% households covered with grid power (as per Census 2011).
Suryamitra Skill Development Programme
To provide skill training to rural youth in handling solar installations.
These are some of the popular solar schemes that can help homeowners.
With the twin goals of creating an enabling ecosystem for solar rooftops and addressing the financial challenges that accompany it, the World Bank program on Grid Connected Rooftop Solar was launched in 2016. The World Bank’s concessional and long-term financing of USD 625 Mn to the State Bank of India (SBI) acts as a significant catalyst for the growth of the Rooftop Solar. SBI will finance installation of at least 600 MW of Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic (GRPV) across India which will provide clean renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by displacing thermal generation. Besides a rooftop solar long-term financing program, SUPRABHA was also initiated which aims at creating enabling ecosystem at the state level for sustaining the rooftop solar sector expansion post the WB-SBI program.
