Initiative aimed at domestic consumers; applicants can buy power sets from approved vendors
The scheme of generation-based incentive (GBI), essentially aimed at covering domestic consumers, will be administered jointly by the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (Teda) and the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco).
Included in the recently-unveiled Solar Energy Policy, the scheme envisages providing Rs. 2 per unit for the first two years; Re. 1 per unit for the next two years and 50 paise per unit for the subsequent two years.
This will be applicable for all solar or solar-wind hybrid rooftop installations to be set up before March 31, 2014.
The State government’s incentive will be in addition to the subsidy being offered by the Union ministry of new and renewable energy. The incentive scheme will be, as of now, more relevant in the case of off-grid solar photovoltaic (SPV) plants for the benefit of domestic consumers.
If a domestic consumer wants to put up a kilo watt (KW) SPV plant, the cost will be around Rs. 2 lakh. Of this, the Union ministry’s subsidy will be Rs. 81,000. A 100-KW plant, which may be useful to a commercial establishment or an educational institution, costs around Rs. 1.8 crore, of which the Centre’s subsidy will be about Rs. 80 lakh.
Explaining features of the scheme, sources say the eventual consumers do not have to approach the Teda directly. There are about 120 vendors approved by the agency, from whom the SPV sets can be purchased.
The vendors will charge the consumers, excluding the amount of subsidy allowed. They will then apply to the Teda for approvals for the Central subsidy and the State government’s incentive.
As regards the role of Tangedco, assessors will visit the premises of those domestic consumers who have gone in for solar power installations.
There will have to be separate meters to calculate generation of solar power and Tangedco officials will prepare power bills, after adjusting the incentive amount.
With respect to solar power systems installed in individual homes which are connected to the grid, the facility of net metering will be allowed for feeding excess power to the grid with power credits accruing to photovoltaic energy producers.
This step by Govt of Tamilnadu is to be appreciated. In a way, it
will encourage local solar panel manufacturers and thereby reduce our
dependence on import of solar panels from other countries. Further
the procedure is simplified. It would help the masses to utilise the
benefit of solar power. Govt of Tamil Nadu is certainly a trend setter
in many aspects.
Other states in india should implement the roof top solar power
system.
The announcement by the TAMIL NADU government deserves appreciation.We do hope the scheme is successfully implemented without any hiccup in obtaining subsidy.
Not only from the point of view that it would help to tide over the acute power shortage situation presently prevailing in the state, but also as a permanent measure, the Solar Energy Policy announced by the T.N.government is a laudable and most welcome one, because sun-light, avaialable in plenty almost right through the year has, surprisingly, remained unutilised in a tropical country like India. The advantages resulting from proper utilisation of solar energy will be numerous. If we revert to the good old practice of manual washing and drying of clothes in sunlight - at least,wherever possible- usage of power from the state grid can be brought down consideraably. If harvesting of rain-water is also earnestly undertaken - instead of doing something half-heartedly just to show that we have complied with orders issued by the government in this regard- we can get over the water-supply shortage too in cities like Coimbatore.
Before going ahead with the project government should look into and set rules as to the size of solar panels, cutting of trees, overall architecture of building, etc. the city planning department must make sure the residential area do not look like an industrial area after everyone installs solar panels. Getting goverment subsidies and payments from electricity departments for the power fed into their grids are going to be a draconian effort. Plan is good but the details are lacking.
Govt is giving farmers 50% subsidy for drip irrigation system.We directly purchased high quality pipes and nozzles and installed in our field. Actual cost was 50% of what the " approved" companies' project cost of same size. We saved time and energy interms of not contacting govt and agencies for the subsidy. We need to ensure this is not happening in solar power systems as well. Actually the subsidy is being eaten jointly by govt officials and approved agencies.
Some of the comments advocate Indian products and were against Chinese products flooding the market. That is a wrong understanding. Tamilnadu desperately needs power. We need several thousands of solar cells, panels installed in the quickest time. Do you believe Indian industry can cope with this demand? Would you believe they can match the prices? Chinese goods are not bad for all times. The situation we are require a worldwide support in terms of technology, production, maturity and experience. Let us not recreate the wheel. Let us brighten ourselves by all means. After we recieve power, we can help china in other ways.
Innovative.
Path breaking.
Like our Nutrition meal scheme and Cradle Baby scheme days are not far
when all States will adopt this .
Ravindran
This is really good news for the people from Ms. Jayalalitha. Be
transparent on the allocation of the vendors list and the tendering
process and people will hail you.
Very Good Initiative...It will be better if they publish the list of 120 approved vendors by the TEDA agency.
Good initiative like Rain water harvesting & this solar panel will fetch good rewards for the people provided the told subsidy is readily available to all people without bribe???
Very appreciative move. Easily 200 to 250 days of abundant sunlight
with heat energy is available in Tamilnadu and we can supplement this
along with grid supply. As a RTI activist I got the detail from
Sholinghur Town that of the 32 marriage halls not one of them
installed solar water heater. The Town and Country Planning Dept
Vellore has approved permission though the law stipulates that solar
water heater is one of the requirement. Imagine flouting of rules all
over the state and the country. Industries, public/private buildings,
commercial establishments must volunteer to start utilizing solar
energy. The households can start adopting solar energy with the
present scheme. Only drawback is just to avail subsidy shoddy products
through unethical manufacturers may start crowding the market. If you
probe further how many thousands of solar lanterns distributed with
subsidy and how many are still functioning all over India,you can find
out why usage of solar energy is still not popular.
The system should be implemented with Zero corruption.. Everyone knows how much extra we have to pay to get 3phase EB connection. If corruption is there this will be total failure.
Good Initiative. Residents in country like Germany got rain harvesting
in their homes (though it rains often) and got solar panels on their
rooftops (though the sunshine is less). Our country needs both
schemes(with less rainfall and more sunshine). At the same time we
should try to generate employment and expand R&D in solar energy
conversion sector instead of importing most from foreign countries. Do
Remember Germans are reducing the usage of nuclear power. Hope this
newspaper carries a small research and gives the public regular
updates on solar energy conversion.
Is this incentive facility available to Hyderabad? I mean does AP Govt provide any such subsidy or incentive facility, please let me know.
This is the right way! Good thinking and hope this scheme is successful.
This is indeed a good initiative by the Tamil Government. But can we get the details of the Vendors?
Good initiative. But in places like Bangalore six months of the year are cloudy where the sun light may not be adequate to power the Solar Power Generation. We in Bangalore are already having Solar heaters for water, which needs the support of electric heating on the rainy/cloudy days. The solution lies in the Government going for alternate sources like Nuclear or Hydal Power Generation as well.
Giving links to webpages that have the list of those vendors will be helpful to the public. Thanks.
This is a very good move by the state govt.. Govt. must also extend this scheme to corporate / commercial centers so that demand can be managed well. Tamil Nadu must compete with Gujarat in power requirements so that many investors will come forward. As such now Govt is supporting all industries and peaceful climate exists. Thanks to Tamil Nadu CM for a timely decision.
This is wonderful encouragement and initiative from Government. Similar to earlier eco-initiative 'Rain Water Harvesting', I wish this one also successful in large scale. Finally, it is going to help every one of us.
Apart from this incentive the state govt can also think about providing incentives to the house holds who installs solar water heaters. Though this doesn't generate any electricity, it avoids the usage of the electricity from the grid and also qualifies for the green energy in an indirect way. The Karnataka govt is giving credits to the home owners who have installed sloar water heaters for their homes and one may witness the solar water heaters almost everywhere in Bangalore.
I hope this does not open the floodgaes for cheap imports from China. These Govt subsidies should be designed to help Indian manufacturers.
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