HIMURJA | RTS

Consumer category	Solar Plant Capacity*(in kW)	MNRE Benchmark Cost (Rs per kW)*	Subsidy Amount(30% of Benchmark Cost)* (Rs per kW)
Residential/ Institutional	1 kW-10 kW	Rs 60,000	Rs 18,000
Above 10 kW- 100 kW	Rs 55,000	Rs 16,500
Above 100 kW-500 kW	Rs 53,000	Rs 15,900
Government	Any Capacity	-	Rs 16,250

1.What is a Solar Rooftop System?

Rooftop solar system is a kind of Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) application generating DC power which gets converted to usable AC power using inverter and can be used directly or fed back to the grid in grid connected systems. SPV generates power during the day which can be used to power in-house loads and transfer excess electricity to the grid for which the owner is compensated with a defined power tariff structure.

2. Who are eligible to install solar rooftop system?

All consumers are eligible to install solar rooftop system subject to the availability of space. However for getting connectivity from DISCOM, Consumer will have to be an existing consumer of HPSEBL.

3. What is the size of grid connected solar rooftop system?

The size of rooftop solar system can vary from 1 kWp upto 500 kWp, depending upon the contract load (sanctioned load by DISCOM to consumer), space availability and available capacity of distribution transformer.

4. What are the conditions governing the capacity of solar rooftop project?

The capacity of grid tied solar rooftop project should be less than or equal to the contracted demand of consumer, subject to the cumulative capacity of solar rooftop projects at distribution transformer is less than 75% of the available capacity.

5. What are minimum requirements to install grid connected solar rooftop system?

Minimum roof area of 100-120 sq ft
Consumer needs to have 3 Phase/1 Phase supply service connection
A bi-directional meter
Mandatory safety precautions

6. What is the role of HIMURJA?

HIMURJA is the state nodal agency, responsible for promotion of clean energy in Himachal Pradesh. The role of HIMURJA is to monitor the solar rooftop program and support end consumers in implantation of solar rooftop in Himachal Pradesh. HIMURJA is also responsible for disbursement of MNRE subsidy to applicants.

7. What is the role of DISCOM?

The role of DISCOM is to provide grid connectivity to the solar rooftop project to in compliance with the rules of Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC) to enable net metering facility to consumers.

8. What is Net Metering Facility?

Net Metering Facility allows grid connected consumer to procure power from their rooftop system and bank excess power to the grid. Banked energy can be utilized during the evening time when solar rooftop is not generating electricity. Consumer can also procure power from the grid if rooftop system is not generating electricity.

9. What is Net Meter and how does it works?

Net Meter is a bi-directional meter, which allows consumers to consumers to import and export the power through it. It records the net import/export of power from rooftop solar based on which the DISCOM prepares the electricity bill.

10. How much energy can be generated from rooftop solar system?

In general 1 kWp rooftop solar system can generate 3-5 kWh of energy per day depending upon the solar radiations.

11. What factors affect the generation of electricity from solar rooftop system?

Daily temperatures and solar radiation
Location and orientation of roof(shady or exposed)
Cloudy/overcast to clear sky
Efficiency of SPV installed
O&M activities

12. How much roof area is required to set up the grid connected rooftop solar system?

About 10 sq.m area is required to set up 1 kWp grid connected rooftop solar system.

13. What is the average cost of grid connected rooftop solar systems?

Average cost of grid connected rooftop solar system is ₹ 70/Wp

14. What is the Financial Assistance provided by the Government of India?

Government of India is providing subsidy upto 30% of the benchmark cost issued by MNRE. Subsidy is available for residential, institutional (hospital, educational institute etc.) and social sector. Private, Commercial and Industrial sector are not covered under the subsidy scheme.

15. What is the benchmark cost of Grid tied rooftop solar projects?

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), publishes the benchmark cost for grid tied rooftop solar projects for each financial year. For FY 2017-18 the benchmark cost for different capacity of projects is as follows

Type

16. Is there any scheme to provide soft loans for installing rooftop solar systems?

All the public sector banks have instructions to provide loan for installing rooftop solar under home loan/ home improvement loan. The list of banks providing the same is provided below:

Syndicate Bank
Bank of India
Dena Bank
State Bank of India
Punjab National Bank
Allahabad Bank
Indian Bank
Central Bank of India
Indian Overseas Bank
State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur
Bharatiya Mahila Bank

Solar Energy Cooperation of India (SECI) at National Level
State Nodal Agencies
Renewable Energy IPC and O&M companies
Project developers and vendors
Reputed NGOs
NABARD, IREDA

21. What business models are available in solar PV systems?

Many models are possible based of ownership and operation

Directly owned by consumer
- Entirely owned and operated by consumer
- Owner owns but maintained by a 3rd party
Owned and operated by 3rd party
- Lease contract: Based on a contract provisions the 3rd party owns and operates the plant, evacuates power to grid or otherwise, while the roof owner get a fixed rent
- Arrangement for captive power
  The 3rd party implements the entire project at owner’s site, he/she may or may not invest, the party then sells the power to roof/land owner

22. What benefits are derived from a Grid-connected rooftop solar installation?

No additional land needed
Environment friendly
Easy installation
Short Period of Installation
Reverse metering(Net metering) can potentially reduce electricity bills
Employment generating
Payback period can reduced by using the Generation Based Incentive(GBI)

23. What other fiscal incentives are available for Solar Systems?

Provisions related to tax holiday, duty exemptions, subsidies, Generation Based Incentives (GBIs) and easy loans.

Application Type 1: For Net Metering Only

Application Type 2: Apply for CEI Safety Clearance certificate

Application Type 3: For Subsidy Application