The government has announced the Solar Rooftop Scheme 2024 to promote solar energy in the country. This Solar Rooftop Scheme 2024 was launched by the government to boost decentralised solar energy generation in the country. This article will give you all answers of the critical insights regarding the plan and what individuals need to be aware of.
Scheme Overview
The Rooftop Scheme aims to install a total of 10 GW of solar rooftop panels by 2024 across commercial, industrial and residential buildings. The target is to install rooftop solar panels with a total capacity of 4000 MW in 2022, 6000 MW in 2023 and 10000 MW by 2024.
The plan will be carried out by the Service of New and Sustainable power. State legislatures, appropriation organizations and confidential designers will cooperate to accomplish these objectives. Monetary impetuses will be given to property holders, lodging social orders and organizations to introduce roof sunlight powered chargers.
The Solar Rooftop Scheme 2024 expects to energize property holders, lodging social orders as well as business and modern units to set up roof sun based plants and offer overflow capacity to the framework through net metering.
Eligibility and Size Limits
Both residential and non-residential buildings will be eligible under the scheme. For residential buildings, the maximum size limit for rooftop solar panels will be 3 kW per installation. For commercial and industrial buildings, there is no limit on the maximum size but the installation must be on-site and connected to the building only.
Off-grid installations or those connected to transmission networks will not be eligible. Only buildings that have a connected load of up to 100 kW will be covered initially. Larger commercial buildings may be included in later phases of the scheme.
Financial Incentives
Several financial incentives are being provided to encourage installations under the scheme:
- Capital subsidy of 40% will be provided for rooftop solar panels of up to 3 kW capacity for the residential sector.
- Capital subsidy of 40% for rooftop solar panels of above 3 kW to 10 kW capacity for the institutional sector.
- Capital subsidy of 20% for rooftop solar panels of above 10 kW to 100 kW capacity for the industrial sector.
- Net-metering will be allowed which means any excess solar power generated can be exported to the grid and set off against electricity bills.
- Consumers can also get loans at lower interest rates from approved financial institutions for installing rooftop solar systems.
- No electricity duty is to be charged on procurement of solar power through rooftop scheme.
Application Process
Interested consumers need to follow these steps to apply under the scheme:
- Identify a MNRE channel partner or vendor empanelled under the scheme. They will do the site assessment and system design.
- Get an estimate of the installation cost and subsidy amount. Submit application online through the vendor.
- Get the proposal approved by distribution company within 30 days of application.
- Installation to be completed within 90 days of approval. Inspection will be done by distribution company.
- Commissioning certificate to be obtained. Subsidy amount will be disbursed through the vendor within 30 days.
- Enjoy free solar power and savings on electricity bills through net-metering mechanism.
Consumers can check the official website or contact their local discom office for more details on applying for subsidies under the Solar Rooftop Scheme 2024.
Benefits for Consumers
The key benefits of installing rooftop solar panels under this scheme include:
- Lower electricity bills: Generate solar power to meet your own needs and reduce dependence on grid power.
- Hedge against price rise: Rooftop solar provides stable power costs independent of fluctuations in grid tariffs over the years.
- Earn from excess generation: Any excess power exported to grid can be adjusted against future consumption or bills through net-metering.
- Environment friendly: Reduce carbon footprint and contribute to India’s renewable energy goals. Promote sustainable living.
- Tax benefits: Depreciation and accelerated depreciation benefits available under Income Tax Act.
Challenges Ahead
While the scheme aims to boost rooftop solar significantly, a few challenges remain:
- Awareness levels: Many homeowners still lack awareness about technical and financial aspects of rooftop solar.
- Upfront costs: Despite subsidies, installation costs remain a barrier for many residential consumers.
- Low capacity utilization: Small rooftop systems may have sub-optimal utilization due to intermittent solar generation patterns.
- Grid stability issues: High rooftop solar penetration in some areas can cause reverse power flows affecting grid stability.
- Policy support needed: Timely payments by discoms, smooth net-metering implementation is critical for off-take under the scheme.
Widespread adoption of rooftop solar through initiatives like the Solar Rooftop Scheme 2024 may also face resistance from certain stakeholders in the conventional energy sector.
How to apply for the scheme?
Here are the steps to apply for the Rooftop Scheme 2024:
1. Identify an empanelled vendor
The first step is to identify a vendor or channel partner that has been empanelled under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) for this scheme. These vendors will conduct the site assessment and system design.
2. Get an estimate and proposal
Once you select a vendor, they will visit your site, conduct shade analysis and suggest the appropriate solar panel size based on your roof area and electricity consumption. They will provide you with an itemized cost estimate and the subsidy amount you are eligible for.
3. Submit online application
The vendor will then help you submit the proposal online through the scheme’s online portal. They will upload all the required documents like site photos, drawings, system details, subsidy calculation etc.
4. Get approval from discom
Your local electricity distribution company (discom) will review the application and sanction or reject it within 30 days. Their approval is mandatory before installation can begin.
5. Installation and inspection
Once approved, the vendor will complete the installation work as per MNRE technical guidelines within 90 days. The discom will then inspect the installed system and issue a commissioning certificate.
6. Release of subsidy
After obtaining a commissioning certificate, the approved subsidy amount will be released by discom to the vendor within the next 30 days. The balance payment needs to be made by the applicant.
7. Start using solar power!
Now you can start using the solar power generated and also sell excess power to discom through net-metering to offset future electricity bills.
With everything taken into account, the Solar Rooftop Scheme 2024 offers an unprecedented opportunity for families and business people to create their own sun based power and diminish their power costs. While there are still some challenges to overcome like awareness, installation costs and grid issues – the incentives provided by the government should help boost rooftop solar capacity significantly over the next few years.
If more people come forward to take advantage of this scheme and if discoms support it smoothly, India can really accelerate its distributed solar energy goals. It’s additionally perfect for the climate as it implies less dependence on non-renewable energy sources for power age. Individuals who invest in a rooftop system will reap the benefits for years with free solar power.
I’d energize anybody with a reasonable rooftop to truly consider applying for this plan. With sun based innovation working on constantly, this present time is as great an opportunity as any to do the switch.
The Solar Rooftop Scheme 2024 plays a key role in helping India achieve its renewable targets. If rolled out smoothly over the coming years, it could significantly boost decentralized solar power generation. This has the potential to accelerate India’s transition to cleaner energy sources.
Sun-AP Ecopower is one of the leading vendors empanelled under the Solar Rooftop Scheme 2024 for designing, installing and maintaining rooftop solar systems across various states in India.
