The enthusiasm for roof-top solar units has seen demand for solar panels surge. Bescom officials said the waiting period for the cells, which can be bought from two empanelled vendors, can stretch up to six months. The other challenge is sanctioning of loans by banks, says L. Lakshmipathy, Bescom’s nodal officer. The cost of installing the system is prohibitive: 1kW costs around Rs. 1 lakh, 100kW around Rs. 80 lakh, and 500kW around 4 crore.
According to the solar policy, for each unit fed into the grid, the power producer will get Rs. 7.2 (if 30 per cent subsidy was availed); for others, the figure is Rs. 9.55.
“The investment can be recovered in three years,” Mr. Lakshmipathy said.
