Question : ROOF TOP SOLAR POWER PLANT

(a) whether the Union Government has taken note of the fact that banks are charging/ levying interest as applicable to personal banking advances for the loans sanctioned for installation of Roof Top Solar Power Plant at households despite the fact that there is provision for giving 40 per cent subsidy;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to sanction the interest free loan so as to promote installation of Roof Top Solar Power Plants in the households in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH)

(a),(b),(c),(d)&(e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

Statement

Statement referred to in reply to Parts (a),(b),(c),(d)&(e) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 513 for 11th May, 2012.

(a) & (b): Under the Off-grid Solar Applications Scheme of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), the Ministry has sanctioned a project to NABARD, to be implemented by Regional Rural Banks and other Commercial Banks for extending subsidy of 40% of the capital cost, limited to Rs.108/- per watt peak, for installing solar lanterns, home lights and small capacity PV plants upto 210 Watt peak by individuals. For balance 60% of the cost, the banks extend credit facility to the beneficiary at usual commercial rates.

(c), (d) &(e): Under the scheme 40% of the capital cost of the system subject to maximum of Rs. 108/- per Watt peak is disbursed as subsidy to the beneficiary. However, there is no provision for any interest subvention under the scheme.