Wednesday, July 23, 2014: We have heard about the very popular Gandhinagar solar power model coming to Delhi. This time, here’s something concrete coming in this direction. The Central Government has said that it has started taking steps to bring in the Gandhinagar’s solar power model in Delhi by connecting the rooftop solar power systems with the grid in the national capital.
Piyush Goyal, minister of state for power, coal and new and renewable energy told Rajya Sabha in a written reply, “The Gandhinagar model has been successful… and, in line with this, Delhi government has initiated steps to promote grid-connected solar rooftop power in consultation with all stakeholders in Delhi. These steps include formulation of a solar policy in Delhi, issuance of a suitable order on solar tariff, net metering and grid connectivity by the regulator as also setting up of a few pilot projects on grid connected solar rooftop power in Delhi.”
He also informed the house about the recently launched Grid Rooftop and Small Solar Power Plants Programme. This programme from the ministry aims to provide central financial assistance (CFA) of up to 30 per cent of the project cost. The cost, in this case, should be limited to the benchmark of Rs 100 per watt for grid-connected rooftop solar power plants. “Other states like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, and Uttarakhand are also promoting rooftop solar power generation by using the CFA of the ministry,” Goyal said.
