Lok Sabha Question No. 254 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-08
Subject: Solar Rooftop Energy Target
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 254

ANSWERED ON 08.12.2022

## SOLAR ROOFTOP ENERGY TARGET

## 254.  SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the deadline for achieving solar rooftop target of 40 GW has been extended from 2022 to 2026;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons behind the extension;
- (c) whether there has been any increase in the budget outlay for solar rooftop to achieve the 40 GW target;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) the current solar rooftop capacity as a percentage of the total solar capacity in the country;
- (f) whether the large-scale utility sector is being given greater priority over the residential solar market; and
- (g) the steps taken by the Government to meet the target of 40 GW of solar rooftop within the stipulated time frame;

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER

## (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a) to (d) With an objective to achieve 40 GW of rooftop solar (RTS) capacity in the country, the Government of India launched Rooftop Solar Programme Phase-II on 8.3.2019. The Programme envisaged installation of 4,000 MW of RTS capacity in the residential sector by providing Central Financial  Assistance  (CFA)  and  incentives  for  DISCOMs  for  achievement  of  additional  RTS capacity in a year over and above the installed capacity of the previous year. A provision of total central financial support of Rs. 11814 Cr, including service charges to the implementing agencies, has been made under the Programme, which was initially scheduled for completion by 2022.

However, the implementation of the Programme has been significantly affected due to Covid-19 pandemic and DISCOMs/ State Implementing Agencies have sought extension in the time-line for execution of projects under the Programme. Ministry has also conducted third party evaluation of the  Programme  and  based  on  the  recommendations,  the  Programme  has  been  extended  till 31.3.2026 with the approval of Ministry of Finance without change in the financial outlay initially approved for the Programme. However, any savings in the CFA for residential sector or in the incentives to DISCOMs after achieving the prescribed capacity targets shall be utilized to support additional capacity in the residential sector.

- (e) As on 31.10.2022 aggregate solar capacity installed in the country was 61.63 GW of which rooftop solar contributes 7.2 GW i.e. 11.7% of total.
- (f) Rooftop solar is being promoted through Rooftop Solar Programme Phase-II by providing CFA and incentives, whereas in case of large-scale utility no such financial support is being provided.
- (g) Several steps taken by the Government to promote rooftop solar inter-alia include:
-  Launch of Rooftop Solar Programme Ph-II with CFA for residential sector and incentives in slabs for the DISCOMs for achievement of additional RTS capacity in a year over and above the installed RTS capacity of the previous year.
-  Launch of National Portal where residential consumers from any part of the country can apply for installation of rooftop solar and get subsidy directly into his bank account under the Programme.
-  Development of online portals at DISCOM level and aggregation of demand relating to RTS projects.
-  Preparation of model MoU, PPA and Capex Agreement for expeditious implementation of RTS projects in Government Sector.
-  Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020 has been issued for net-metering up to five hundred Kilowatt or upto the electrical sanctioned load, whichever is lower.
-  Online portal developed for expediting project approval, report submission and monitoring progress of implementation of RTS projects.
-  Facilitation of concessional loans from multilateral agencies such as the World Bank.
-  Renewable energy included under priority sector lending guidelines of RBI.
-  Declaration of trajectory of renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) upto year 2030
-  Quality standards for deployment of solar photovoltaic system/ devises notified.
-  Innovative business models for RTS prescribed.
-  Information and public awareness activities through various mediums.

*****