Question : Subsidy for Rooftop Solar Systems

(a) the amount spent in granting subsidy for installation of solar panels at rooftops during each of the last three years and simplify the process for granting subsidy for the said purpose State-wise;

(b) whether the Government has increased or decreased the subsidy for rooftop solar systems recently ,if so , the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the increase in subsidy will encourage large consumers among the Government, social and institutional sectors in using solar power, if so , the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government proposes to install solar power tapping panels on the roofs of Government offices , if so, the details, thereof ;and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to make the scheme more attractive and the implementation easier?

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

(a): An amount of Rs. 258.09 Crore has been spent in granting subsidy for installation of solar panels at rooftops during the last three years. The State-wise and year-wise details is given in Annexure.
(b),(c)&(d): The Government is implementing a programme “Grid Connected Rooftop and Small Solar Power Plants”, which has a provision for subsidy upto 30% of benchmark cost for the general category states and upto 70 % of benchmark cost for special category states, i.e. North Eastern States including Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and
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Lakshadeep, Andaman & Nicober Islands. The subsidy is available for residential, institutional and social sector. The subsidy is not available for Government institutions including PSUs and commercial & industrial establishments in the private sector.The subsidy will encourage large consumers among the social and institutional sectors in using solar power. Achievement linked incentives/awards will be provided to Government institutions including PSUs.

(e): The steps taken by the Government to promote the power from the solar energy are:
• Fiscal incentives such as accelerated depreciation, concessional custom duty, excise duty exemptions and income tax holiday for 10 years
• Loans for system aggregators from Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) at a concessional interest rate (9.9% to 10.75% per annum)
• Under Priority Sector Lending, loans are available upto Rs. 10 lakhs for individuals and upto Rs. 15 crore for renewable energy projects
• Bank loans as a part of home loan/ home improvement loan for solar rooftop systems
• Public awareness is being created through electronic &print media, workshops, seminars and capacity building programmes.
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