In an attempt to make solar energy accessible for all, the Union Ministry of Power and New & Renewable Energy has simplified the procedure to avail subsidies under the Solar Rooftop Scheme. In line with the relaxation offered by the government, people in Lucknow can procure solar panels directly from markets after registering at the National Portal that will soon be developed.
The new policy now allows households to avail subsidy even after procuring the Rooftop Solar (RTS) plant from a private source. Upon installation, the households will then be eligible for government-approved subsidies which they will start getting within a month.
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As per the revised rules, the beneficiary will have to apply on the national portal which will be linked to the DISCOM portal. And further post identifying the technical feasibility of the project, the beneficiary can then contact any private contractor listed under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) for the installation of the project.
Post-installation, the recipient will have to register to the concerned DISCOM portal for the installation of net-metering of the RTS plant. However, the installation of the plant is a time-bound procedure, under which the procurer will have to install the RTS plant within a specified time period, otherwise leading to cancellation. The Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Ltd. (MVVNL) has been entrusted with this responsibility in Lucknow.
Manoj Sharma, the Superintending Engineer (Commercial) of Madhyanchal Nigam has sent circulars of the Ministry's order to Lesa Sis and Trans Gomti Zone. At present, the cost of installing a solar panel of 3 kWh capacity is ₹47,943 per kWh while the cost of 5 kWh comes to ₹52,351, 7 kWh at ₹50,052 and 10 kWh at 45,988 per kWh. According to experts, the subsidy will be available on the cost of installing the RTS plant under the new system. Currently, for installing panels up to three kilowatts, 40% of the cost is subsidized.
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Talking about the benefit of this scheme, Pradeep Kakkar, technical director of Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Lucknow said, "Consumers will get a lot of conveniences in the new system. This will increase the number of consumers installing roof panels."
Vikas Gupta, the General Secretary of the Indian Solar Power Association said, "The new policy is a good initiative, this will make it easier for domestic consumers to install solar plants"
"The Center should issue guidelines in this regard soon, moreover, the concerned minister should make this new system transparent to ensure there is no issue in the solar industry," added Vikas Gupta.
Earlier, the installation of solar panels was a tedious process that was only undertaken by government bodies, however, the new rule will make RTS plant procurers eligible for a subsidy even after getting the plant installed by a private contractor. The changes to the system will act as a catalyst and boost the use of solar energy in the domestic sector, providing people with options to select the installer listed under ALMM.
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