Question : SOLAR ENERGY PLANTS

(a) the number of the solar energy plants set up/ being set up in the country during the last three years, State-wise, along with their installed capacity;

(b) the funds sanctioned/released and spent for the purpose during the said period, scheme, State and region-wise;

(c) whether the Government proposes to provide some incentives to the private companies which have expressed interest in the said projects, and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government to promote and popularise the use of solar energy in the country?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR POWER, COAL & NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

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

Statement

Statement referred to in reply to parts (a),(b),(c) & (d) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 427 to be answered on 23/04/2015 regarding ‘Solar Energy Plants’

(a): The details of total capacity of solar energy plants set up during each of the last three years, State/ UT-wise are at Annexure-I.

(b): The details of funds sanctioned/ released and spent for setting up solar power plants during the last three years, scheme-wise and State-wise are at Annexure-II.

(c): Yes, Madam. The Government is providing the following incentives to solar power developers, including private companies, for setting up solar power projects:

# Exemption from excise duties and concession on import duties on components and equipment required to set up a solar plant.
# A 10-year tax holiday for solar power projects.
# Guaranteed market through solar power purchase obligation for states.
# Mechanism of Renewable Energy Certificates.
# Viability Gap Funding (VGF), as a capital subsidy to the solar power developers.
# A payment security mechanism to cover the risk of default by state utilities/discoms.
# Special incentives for exports from India in renewable energy technology under renewable sector-specific SEZ.
# A subsidy of 15% of the project cost for grid- connected Roof-Top solar power installations, subject to availability of funds.
# A subsidy of 30% of the project cost for off-grid PV and solar thermal projects, subject to availability of funds.
In addition to these, there are incentives being offered by some States, like:
# Wheeling, banking and third party sales, buy back facility by states.
# Reduced wheeling charges as compared to those for conventional energy.
# Feed-in-Tariffs

(d) In addition to the incentives mentioned above, in order to promote and popularise the use of solar energy in the country, the Government has recently introduced three new schemes of Solar Parks, Solar Pumps and Canal Top/Banks Solar Power Projects. Further, the Government has also approved the implementation of Green Energy Corridor, connecting major solar potential states, to facilitate transmission of solar energy.