May 1, 2015: So far, 351.60 MWp aggregate capacity of grid-interactive rooftop solar projects has been sanctioned and 47.64 MWp have been commissioned in various States. State Electricity Regulatory Commissions of twenty States have notified regulatory framework on net-metering/feed-in-tariff to encourage rooftop solar plants. This was stated by Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
The Minister further stated that the scheme has a provision of subsidy upto Rs. 24 per Wp for the general category States and Rs. 26 per Wp in North-Eastern States, Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands which is about 30 per cent of the benchmark cost of the system. The Ministry proposes to make the scheme incentive driven rather than subsidy driven. The Ministry has proposed to reduce the subsidy on rooftop solar power plants to 15 per cent from the present level of 30 per cent due to reduction in price of solar panels, large target set for rooftop solar power plant and limited availability of funds.
The scheme encourages various business models including PPP mode. The subsidy as mentioned in part (b) is also applicable to these institutions.
The major steps taken by the Government are as follows:
(i) The ‘Grid Connected Rooftop and Small Solar Power Plants Programme’ encourages the installation of solar rooftop systems across the country including in buildings of State Government agencies
(ii) There are provisions of concessional import duty/excise duty exemption, accelerated depreciation and tax holiday for setting up of grid connected rooftop power plants
(iii) Encouraging States to come out with conducive policy and regulatory framework on net-metering/feed-in-tariff to install rooftop solar power plants
(iv) Public awareness is being created through electronic & print media, workshops, seminars and capacity building programmes
