Delhi's New Solar Policy to Cut Rooftop Installation Cost to ₹15,000
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · IR
Why in news
The Delhi government is finalizing a new solar policy to drastically reduce the upfront cost of rooftop solar installations for households. This move aims to boost solar adoption in the capital by complementing the central PM Surya Ghar scheme with additional financial support.
Background
Delhi has an existing solar policy that provides subsidies and generation-based incentives (GBI) for rooftop solar systems. The new policy seeks to revise these incentives to lower the initial financial burden on consumers.
Key facts
The Delhi government plans to introduce a new solar policy to reduce the upfront cost of rooftop solar installations.
The draft policy is in final stages and likely to be placed before the cabinet after the monsoon session.
The policy aims to bring down the upfront contribution for a standard 3 kW residential rooftop solar system to around ₹15,000.
A key proposal is the upfront disbursal of the generation-based incentive (GBI) instead of spreading it over five years.
Currently, a 3kW rooftop solar system costs about ₹2.25 lakh.
Existing financial assistance includes ₹78,000 from the Centre and ₹30,000 from the Delhi government, totaling ₹1.08 lakh.
Residential consumers currently receive GBI of ₹3 per unit for systems up to 3 kW and ₹2 per unit for systems above 3 kW.
The new policy will complement the Centre's PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
Power minister Ashish Sood said the policy aims to eliminate financial barriers to solar adoption.
Prelims pointers
- PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana - central scheme for rooftop solar.
- Generation-Based Incentive (GBI) - a subsidy mechanism for solar power.
- Delhi government - state-level policy initiative.
- 3 kW rooftop solar system - standard residential size.
- Monsoon session - parliamentary session context.
Mains angles
- Discuss the role of state-level policies in promoting renewable energy adoption.
- Critically examine the effectiveness of financial incentives in increasing rooftop solar installations.
- Analyze the complementarity between central and state schemes for sustainable energy.