(a) whether the Government provides direct subsidy on solar applications including the solar water heaters without any banking procedure;
(b) if so, the details thereof ; and
(c) the total amount of subsidy provided on solar water heaters during the last three years?
MINISTER OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH)
(a)&(b) Yes, Madam. The Government provides a capital subsidy of 30% of the benchmark cost of solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems including solar water heaters to the beneficiaries in general category states through state nodal agencies, system integrators and other channel partners. However, in case of special category states, this subsidy is up to 90% of benchmark cost of solar photovoltaic for certain applications and 60% for solar thermal systems including solar water heaters.
(c) A total amount of Rs. 137.62 crore has been provided as subsidy to various beneficiaries in the country on solar water heaters during the last three years.