(a) whether several Centrally sponsored/ financed solar energy projects in the country particularly in
rural areas are not functioning properly;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(c) the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY(DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH)
(a), (b)&(c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Statement
Statement referred to in reply to Parts (a),(b)&(c) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 485 regarding “Solar
Energy Projects†for reply on 07.08.2009 by Shri Raju Shetti, MP.
(a) & (b): The solar energy systems installed in the country including rural areas under the Ministry’s
programmes have been found to be functioning satisfactorily in general. Field monitoring and evaluation
studies undertaken by independent agencies i.e. the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER),
New Delhi, National Productivity Council (NPC), New Delhi and the Integrated Research & Action for
Development (IRADe), New Delhi for the solar energy systems installed in the country including rural areas
have indicated satisfactory performance for 70-100 percent systems. The systems include solar home lighting
systems, solar street lights, solar lanterns, solar pumps, solar cookers and solar power plants.
(c) : For improving the functionality of the systems, the Government has taken several steps such as
(i) for
better implementation and maintenance of the systems, recently the Ministry has decided to implement the
programmes in project mode
(ii) prescribing specifications of systems and their type testing by authorized
centres
(iii) provision of warranty for a minimum period of two years for the complete solar photovoltaic (SPV) systems, including the batteries and minimum ten years for PV modules
(iv) provision of
comprehensive/annual maintenance contracts for the systems for 5 years, including warranty period
(v) additional facilities of after sales service / maintenance through the Akshya Urja Shops, service
networks of the manufacturers and local level offices of the state renewable energy development agencies.