MNRE Simplifies Rooftop Solar Installation Process, Issues New Notification

MNRE Amends Policy, Asks Discoms To Seek Less Docs for Rooftop Solar

In the latest notification, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) tried to simplify the application process for grid-connected rooftop solar. The latest notification issued by the ministry has asked the discoms to ask their consumers for fewer documents to install rooftop solar. Meanwhile, the ministry has also listed the documents needed to be furnished for rooftop solar installation.

The new notification said that the discoms should seek only the consumers’ electricity bills for technical feasibility approval for rooftop solar. It also said that for project commissioning/net-metering, the discoms should seek three documents–a project completion report (PCR), a photograph of the RTS facility, and the consumer-vendor agreement.

The notification said that the PCR should include only–details of the solar panels (make, capacity in watts per panel, total number of panels with serial numbers) and inverters (make, capacity, and serial number).

Simplified processes 

“All concerned discoms/implementing agencies are directed to ensure that no other documents are sought from the applicants to ensure ease of installation of rooftop solar project by the consumers,” the MNRE document said.

It also added, “It is also directed that the discoms should also keep sufficient stock of smart meters/net meters to avoid delay in commissioning of RTS projects that arise due to the necessity for consumers to purchase the meters and getting the same tested by discoms’ lab. Smart meters, where available, shall be preferred to avoid replacement of net meters again with smart meters later and can be read manually till data communication systems are in place.”

This comes days after the MNRE issued a notification, allowing higher subsidies for the solar rooftop consumers in India. The notification increased the Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for residential rooftop solar between 1kw-3kw from the existing Rs 14,588/kw to Rs 18,000/Kw. It also increased the subsidies for rooftop solar owned by resident welfare associations and communities.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Power in December last year issued a draft notification, proposing to do away with the need of technical feasibility studies for rooftop solar plants below 10 kw of capacity. All of these developments have come to the fore when the rooftop installations in the country lagged behind the government’s targets. As per the latest updates from the MNRE, India has 11.08 GW of grid-connected rooftop solar by the end of December 31, 2023.