Question : Solar Rooftop System

(a) the steps being taken by the Government to achieve the target of 40 (KW) power through solar rooftop system by the year 2022;
b) the details of special provisions made by the Government to encourage investment in solar rooftop sector;
(c) the details of strengthening of the policy framework being ensured by the Government for the said purpose;
(d) the number of districts in which good work has been done in this regard;
(e) whether the Government has launched the second phase of the Grid Connected solar rooftop scheme this year and if so, the details thereof along with the incentives provided under the said scheme; and
(f) the targets achieved under the said scheme as on date?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY, POWER and MoS for SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
(SHRI R.K. SINGH)
(a) to(c) The following major steps have been taken by the Government for overall promotion of Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Systems to achieve the target of 40 GW of power through Rooftop Solar by the year 2022:

• Launch of phase II of rooftop solar programme under with Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of 40% of the benchmark cost or tender cost, whichever is lower for residential grid connected rooftop systems upto 3 kW and 20% of the benchmark cost or tender cost, whichever is lower for residential grid connected rooftop system of capacity more than 3kW and upto 10 kW. The scheme also provides CFA of 20% of benchmark cost or tender cost, whichever is lower for group housing societies/ resident welfare associations for supply of power for common facilities. Incentives in slabs for the Power Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) for achievement of additional capacity over and above the installed capacity of the last year are also provided. Earlier under Phase-I of the programme, CFA assistance for residential/ institutional/social sectors and achievement linked incentives for Government sectors was provided.
• Assistance to states in development/ integration of online portal and aggregation of demands relating to rooftop solar projects.
• Preparing of model MoU, PPA and Capex Agreement for expeditious implementation of RTS projects in Govt. Sector. Ministry-wise expert PSUs were identified for handholding and providing support for implementation of RTS projects in various Ministries/ Departments under erstwhile phase I of the programme.
• Advising States to notify the net/gross metering regulations for RTS projects. At present, all 36 States/UTs/SERCs have notified such regulations and/or tariff orders.
• SPIN-an online platform developed for expediting project approval, report submission and monitoring progress of implementation of RTS projects.
• Facilitation of concessional loans from World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) through SBI and PNB respectively, for disbursal of loans to industrial and commercial sectors, where CFA/incentive is not being provided by the Ministry.
• Renewable energy included under priority sector lending
• Declaration of trajectory of Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) upto year 2022
• Quality standards for deployment of solar photovoltaic system/ devises notified.
• Innovative Business models for rooftop solar shared with the States

(d) to (f) The Ministry has issued guidelines for implementation of phase II of the Grid Connected rooftop solar programme on 20-08-2019 and an aggregate capacity of 833 MW in residential sector has been sanctioned to 64 DISCOMs/Electricity Departments of 31 States/UTs since 20.08.2019. Aggregate capacity of 364 MW in residential sector has been reported installed under phase II of the programme in 8 States. Under phase II subsidy upto 40% is provided for roof top installation of upto 3 kW. Incentives in slabs for the Power Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) for achievement of additional capacity above baseline have been provided in the scheme guidelines. Incentive is provided to the DISCOMs @ 5% of the applicable cost for capacity achieved above 10% and up to 15% of the installed base capacity plus @ 10% of the applicable cost for capacity achieved beyond 15% of the installed base capacity.

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