The Delhi government has announced a revised solar energy policy, enabling residential households that use up to 400 units of electricity per month to install rooftop solar systems without any upfront cost. This initiative was confirmed on Tuesday by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who stated that the government would cover the installation expenses after applying the relevant central and state subsidies. By March 2027, the plan aims to facilitate installations in 2.3 lakh homes, thus contributing 500 megawatts of solar capacity.

Benefits for Low-Consumption Households

The revised policy intends to tackle significant challenges that have hindered the uptake of the Central Government’s PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, such as the prohibitive initial costs. As part of the new approach, the financial benefits will be offered upfront during installation, instead of being provided over a five-year period through incentives.

Additionally, selected vendors will offer free operation and maintenance services for five years following the installation. To facilitate this initiative, the government has waived application and registration fees for residential solar systems. Furthermore, the time taken for residential net metering has been cut down from approximately 75 days to 25 days, enabling households to relay surplus solar power back into the grid, according to existing arrangements.

Implementation Through Competitive Bidding

The implementation of this ambitious project will be managed through competitive bidding by the Indraprastha Power Generation Company Limited (IPGCL). Chief Minister Gupta emphasised that this initiative aligns with the government’s broader “Green Delhi” campaign. The objective is to transition households from merely being electricity consumers to becoming solar energy producers by promoting solar installation on suitable rooftops throughout the city.

The government has commenced the installation of solar systems on public buildings and is actively seeking solutions for households that lack adequate rooftop space for such installations. Presently, Delhi has 10,073 solar installations, with a notable proportion situated on government properties. The ongoing electricity subsidy for these households will remain intact, allowing eligible families to benefit from both the existing subsidy and the new rooftop solar initiative.

In summary, the Delhi government’s newly updated solar policy marks a significant shift in promoting renewable energy adoption amongst residential consumers. By alleviating financial barriers and streamlining the installation process, the government aims to foster greater participation in solar energy usage, while concurrently contributing to the overarching goal of a greener urban environment.

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