Solar Power System in Rural Areas

During 2010-11, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy sanctioned projects for installation of 9190 numbers of standalone SPV power plants on panchayat buildings in Rajasthan (9168) and Punjab (22). During 2011-12, the Ministry sanctioned installation of 4779 numbers of standalone SPV power plants at village panchayat buildings in Chhattisgarh (7), Jharkhand (4683), Karnataka (30) and Punjab (59). There is a lot of demand from rural areas.

The Ministry and State Nodal Agencies, Banks, NGOs, etc. are regularly organising awareness and capability building programmes, seminars, workshops and exhibitions for promotion of solar PV systems in the country.

Under the Off-grid Solar Applications Scheme of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, the Government is providing central financial assistance of 30% of the project cost subject to a maximum of Rs.81/- per watt peak for installation of solar lanterns, home lights, street lights and standalone power plants in rural areas through the State Renewable Energy Development Agencies. In addition, the Ministry is providing Rs.150/- per watt peak for mini-grid SPV power plants in rural areas to meet the unmet demand of electricity. The Government has been providing central financial assistance up to 90% of the project cost limited to Rs.243/- per watt peak for solar lighting systems and standalone SPV power plants in Special Category States, UT Islands and districts with International Borders for only Central and State Government Ministries, Departments and their organisations, State Nodal Agencies and Local bodies.

This information was given by the Minister of New and Renewable Energy Dr. Farooq Abdullah in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

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MA/KT/VN