Rooftop Solar Subsidies To Amplify Clean Energy

New Delhi: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has recently updated the financial support for residential rooftop solar installations as part of Phase-II of the Rooftop Solar Programme. This revision in Central Financial Assistance (CFA) is aimed at boosting the adoption of clean energy, impacting all upcoming bids and encouraging the use of solar energy in homes and housing societies nationwide.

For individual household projects with a capacity ranging from 1 to 3 kW, the subsidy has been set at Rs 18,000 per kW for general states and Rs 20,000 per kW for special categories, which include regions like the North-Eastern region, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Union Territories such as Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Projects exceeding 3-10 kW will now receive subsidies of Rs 9,000 per kW in general states and Rs 10,000 per kW in special category states.

The scheme also extends financial assistance for common facilities up to 500 kW in resident welfare associations and group housing societies, maintaining the aid at Rs 9,000 per kW for general states and Rs 10,000 per kW for special category states.

This update follows approximately one year since the last revision in the benchmark for central financial assistance for rooftop projects. The new rates are applicable to all future bids scheduled to close after January 20 and for all claims submitted after the issuance of the revised rates on January 5.

Special category states, including the North-Eastern states, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, are expected to particularly benefit from these higher subsidy rates.