Focus: GS II: Government policies and Intervention
Why in News?
The Rooftop Solar Programme has been extended till 31.03.2026 and therefore, subsidy under the programme will be available until the target under the Programme is achieved.
About the Programme:
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is executing the Grid-connected Rooftop Solar Scheme to produce solar energy by mounting solar panels on the roofs of the homes..
Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar Scheme (Phase II):
- By the year 2022, it hopes to have installed 40,000 MW of rooftop solar projects.
- In a rooftop or small solar photovoltaic (SPV) system that is connected to the grid, the power conditioning unit converts the DC power generated by the SPV panel to AC electricity, which is then delivered to the grid.
Major objective of the programme includes:
- 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.
