Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar Programme | 20 Feb 2019

The union cabinet has approved Phase-II of Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Programme for achieving a cumulative capacity of 40,000 MW from Rooftop Solar Projects by the year 2022

  • Central Financial Assistance (CFA) under residential category will be provided for 4000 MW capacity and the same will be provided on the basis of benchmark cost or tender cost, whichever is lower.
  • Central financial support will not be available for other categories i.e., institutional, educational, social, government, commercial, industrial, etc.
  • The increased role of Distribution Companies
    • Under Phase-II Programme, performance-based incentives will be provided to DISCOMs based on capacity achieved in a financial year.
    • DISCOMs and its local offices shall be the nodal points for implementation of the programme.

Benefits of Programme

  • Environment: The Programmes will have a substantial environmental impact in terms of savings of CO2 emission. The addition of 38 GW solar rooftop plants under Phase-II by the year 2022 will result in a CO2 emission reduction of about 45.6 tonnes per year.
  • Employment Generation: The programme is likely to generate employment opportunity for skilled and unskilled workers for the addition of 38GW by the year 2022.

Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar Programme

  • In grid-connected rooftop or small SPV system, the DC power generated from the SPV panel is converted to AC power using the power conditioning unit and is fed to the grid.
  • The 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.