Lok Sabha Question No. 1051 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-08
Subject: Rooftop Solar Installation
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: (Dr.) Ram Shankar Katheria

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1051

ANSWERED ON 08/02/2024

## ROOFTOP SOLAR INSTALLATION

## 1051 DR. RAM SHANKAR KATHERIA

Will the Minister of New and Renewable Energy be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to bring changes and streamline the application process for the rooftop solar installation to make it more simpler and convenient;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details as to how the initiative of rooftop solar installation would help in decentralising the solar energy generation and its impact; and

(d) the details of the other initiatives taken/being taken by the Government to advance renewable energy initiatives?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a) & (b) The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has been promoting rooftop solar under the Rooftop Solar Programme by providing central financial assistance. To avail of Central  Financial  Assistance  (CFA)  under  the  Programme,  consumers/beneficiaries  are required  to  submit  electricity  bill,  photographs,  and  documents  (such  as  Net  metering application, PAN, Aadhar copy, undertakings, property ownership, society NOC, single line diagram, equipment datasheet, etc.) as required by Distribution Companies (DISCOMs). The documentation may vary from one DISCOM to another.

To facilitate large scale adoption of rooftop solar, MNRE in January 2024 has simplified the application process for availing CFA under rooftop solar. Consumers are now only required to submit  any  electricity  bill  from  the  past  six  months,  Project  Completion  Report  (PCR), photographs showcasing the rooftop solar installation, and a formal agreement between the consumer and the vendor.

The MNRE has instructed DISCOMs /Implementing Agencies to refrain from requesting any additional documents from applicants for ensuring ease of installation of rooftop solar projects by the consumer. In addition to these measures, the MNRE has directed DISCOMS to ensure an  ample  supply  of  smart  meters  or  net  meters,  thereby  preventing  delays  in  project commissioning.

(c) Rooftop solar installations enable energy production at the point of consumption, reducing the need for centralized power plants. This localized generation helps meet the energy demand directly within the community or building where it is needed. It further leads to a reduction in transmission losses, promotes energy independence, provides environmental benefits through decreased reliance on fossil fuels, and contributes to grid decentralization.

- (d) Measures undertaken to promote Renewable Power in the Country are as follows: ·  Permitting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 percent under the automatic route, ·  Waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned by 30th June 2025, · Declaration of trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2029-30, · Setting up of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks to provide land and transmission to RE developers for installation of RE projects at large scale, · Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PMKUSUM), Solar Rooftop Phase II, 12000 MW CPSU Scheme Phase II, · Laying of new transmission lines and creating new sub-station capacity under the Green Energy Corridor Scheme for evacuation of renewable power, · Notification of standards for deployment of solar photovoltaic system/devices, · Setting up of Project Development Cell for attracting and facilitating investments, · Standard Bidding Guidelines for tariff based competitive bidding process for procurement of Power from Grid Connected Solar PV and Wind Projects. · Government has issued orders that power shall be dispatched against Letter of Credit (LC) or advance payment to ensure timely payment by distribution licensees to RE generators. · Notification of Promoting Renewable Energy through Green Energy Open Access Rules 2022. · Notification of 'The Electricity (Late Payment Surcharge and related matters) Rules (LPS rules). · Launch of Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM) to facilitate sale of Renewable Energy Power through exchanges. · National Green Hydrogen Mission launched with an aim to make India a global hub for production, utilization and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives. · Notification of prescribed trajectory for RE power bids to be issued by Renewable Energy Implementation Agencies from FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28. Under the trajectory, 50 GW/annum of RE bids to be issued.

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