The Indian government has realised the importance of solar energy and is now working on bringing the costs down for solar power. In the latest, the government of Andhra Pradesh fixed the benchmark price for purchase of solar power at Rs 6.49 per unit at a cabinet sub-committee meeting on power.
Alongside the state government has asked for bids for generating solar power. Commenting on the move, finance minister, Anam Ramanarayana Reddy said, “We hope to finalise the bids within a month now that the price has been fixed.”
To deal with the crisis situation, the state government has plans in place to generate 2000 MW of solar power. The depletion in reservoirs and availability of traditional fuels like coal and gas has led to a drastic drop in hydro power generation.
As per the new solar power policy announced by the state government, net metering facility will be implemented for consumers who set up solar PV plants on roof-tops, waste lands, industries, offices, institutions and residential complexes. Subsidy will be provided by the Union Government up to 30 per cent of the panel cost up to a capacity of 500 KW without battery support, reported IBN Live.
Also, those who generate solar power are allowed to use the required quantity for their own needs and feed the excess power into the grid, the report stated. However, the cost of such power has not been fixed yet.
