Nagaland Unveils Unified Rooftop Solar Portal

The Nagaland Government has launched a unified rooftop solar web portal that is expected to give a fillip to greater generation and use of solar power in the residential sector by simplifying the approval process. KD Vizo, Principal Secretary for Power applauded the effort of the power department and said that the unified rooftop solar web portal is crucial for Nagaland’s residential sector.

The portal was launched by Tovihoto Ayemi, adviser to the power department of Nagaland Government, at the civil secretariat in Kohima. He asked the power department to coordinate with the new and renewable energy department as it is necessary for the success of the rooftop solar scheme.

The advisor was in favour of awareness generation among the masses for the rooftop solar scheme; the consumers should have access to the scheme which should be made available to them with tenets of equality.

Nagaland government has appointed Atoho Jakhalu as the nodal officer for rooftop solar scheme. He informed on the occasion of the launch of the unified portal that rooftop solar gets live electricity connection from the concerned power distribution companies.

The nodal officer said that 1 KWp rooftop solar system plants needs nearly 10 sq meter area and green power so generated could be for captive consumption of the residence or transfer to the grid system which will adjust the same in the household’s electricity bill. He added that in rooftop solar, both consumption and generation of energy is co-located; this allows power generation added to the renewable purchase obligation of the power utilities.

Jakhalu also said that rooftop solar power allows DISCOMs to reduce loss of power that occurs in transmission and distribution. It was also informed that those applying to get the benefits under the scheme need to have an electricity bill in their own name and also supporting documents like ID cards. Online applications can also be made.

On one hand Nagaland’s renewable energy potential is almost 9000 MW, its present capacity is just a little over 108 MW in which to use solar power. Hydro power is dominant in the state as far as renewables are concerned. In March, the state government signed a PPA with Hyderabad based Halo Energie Pvt Ltd to develop Nagaland’s first greenfield solar power project of 20 MW in Dimapur.