29-June-2024-Special-Article

ROOFTOP SOLAR PROGRAMME 

By March 2024, India achieved an installed rooftop solar (RTS) capacity of 11.87 gigawatts (GW), reflecting a growth of 2.99 GW during 2023-2024. 

• Government Initiative: The Rooftop Solar Programme was launched in 2014 to promote rooftop solar installations across the country. 

About the Rooftop Solar Programme 

• Launch Year: 2014. 

• Initial Target: 40 GW of RTS capacity by 2022 (part of 100 GW solar target by 2030). 

• Extended Deadline: The target deadline was extended to 2026 as the 2022 goal was not met. 

• Solar Panels: Photovoltaic panels installed on building rooftops and connected to the main power supply. 

Objective 

• To encourage the installation of grid-connected solar rooftop systems on residential buildings. 

Historical Context 

• Launch: Part of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission in 2010. 

• Revised Target: Initially aimed for 20 GW of solar energy by 2022, later revised to 100 GW, including 40 GW from RTS. 

Key Initiatives under Rooftop Solar 

• SUPRABHA: Sustainable Partnership for RTS Acceleration in Bharat. 

• SRISTI: Sustainable Rooftop Implementation for Solar Transfiguration of India. 

Implementation and State Performance 

• Implementation: Managed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and executed through state nodal agencies and power distribution companies. 

• Top Performers: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan. 

• Moderate Performers: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka. 

• Underperformers: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand. 

Significance of the Rooftop Solar Programme 

• Decentralised Energy Production: Reduces dependency on centralized power grids, enhancing energy security and resilience. 

• Economic Advantages: Lowers electricity bills, creates jobs in the solar industry, and reduces the need for expensive grid infrastructure upgrades. 

• Energy Independence: Empowers consumers to become ‘prosumers’ (producers and consumers), reducing reliance on fossil fuels and energy imports. 

• Rural Electrification and Energy Diversification: Provides power to remote areas, improves quality of life in underserved communities, and diversifies the energy mix. 

• Sustainable Development: Aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 7) and supports India’s commitment to renewable energy and climate action. 

India’s Current Solar Capacity 

• Rooftop Solar Capacity: 11.87 GW, with Gujarat leading, followed by Maharashtra as of March 2024. 

• RTS Potential: Approximately 796 GW. 

• Residential Sector: Only 20% of rooftop solar installations are in residential sectors; majority are in commercial and industrial sectors. 

• Potential: India’s 250 million households could collectively install up to 637 GW of rooftop solar capacity, meeting one-third of the country’s residential electricity demand. 

• Total Solar Capacity: Achieved approximately 73.31 GW by December 2023, with Rajasthan leading at 18.7 GW and Gujarat at 10.5 GW. 

• Modhera: India’s first solar-powered village in Gujarat with 1,300 RTS systems of 1 kW each. 

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana 

• Aim: To provide RTS systems in 1 crore households. 

• Benefits: Participating households receive 300 units of free electricity every month. 

• Target: Residential consumers with systems up to 3 kW capacity. 

• Registration: Residents must register on the national rooftop solar portal and select a vendor. 

• Eligibility: Requires a valid electricity connection and no prior subsidy for solar panels. 

• Financial Setup: Central allocation of Rs 75,021 crore, primarily for direct subsidies to consumers. 

• Benefits: Free electricity, reduced bills, payback periods of three to seven years, increased renewable energy adoption, and reduced carbon emissions. 

Other Government Initiatives to Harness Solar Energy 

• FDI in Renewable Energy: Permits up to 100% FDI under the automatic route. 

• One Sun, One World, One Grid: Aims for a unified global grid. 

• Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA): Ensures electricity access to all households. 

• Green Energy Corridor (GEC): Facilitates the transfer of renewable energy from production to consumption centers. 

• National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM): Enhances the power grid’s efficiency and reliability. 

• International Solar Alliance (ISA): Promotes solar energy globally. 

• National Solar Mission: Aims to establish India as a global leader in solar energy. 

• Solar Park Scheme: Develops large-scale solar parks. 

• Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM): Supports solar energy for farmers. 

Challenges 

• High Initial Costs: A typical 3 kW residential system costs around Rs. 1.5-2 lakhs (before subsidies), and commercial installations can cost Rs. 40-50 per watt. 

• Limited Awareness: Only 20% of RTS installations are in the residential sector. 

• Grid Integration: States like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu face grid stability issues due to intermittent solar generation. 

• Limited Skilled Workforce: An estimated 300,000 skilled workers are needed in the solar sector. 

Way Forward 

• Policy Reforms: Expand and simplify subsidies, increase coverage for larger systems, and streamline the disbursement process. 

• Innovative Financing Models: Promote solar leasing and power purchase agreements (PPAs). 

• Awareness and Outreach: Launch comprehensive public awareness campaigns and leverage social media and community engagement programs. 

• Grid Modernization: Invest in smart grid technologies, energy storage solutions, and better forecasting and management systems for solar power. 

• Capacity Building and Technology Innovation: Expand training programs like ‘Suryamitra’, partner with educational institutions, and invest in R&D for more efficient and cost-effective solar technologies. 

Mains Question: 

1. Describe the objectives and achievements of India’s Rooftop Solar Programme, highlighting its impact on energy security and sustainable development. (150 WORDS)