Solar Rooftop Manufacturers Awaiting Rs 200 cr Govt Subsidy

Since, September last year no payment has been made to the manufacturers.

The Central Government has not yet paid the subsidy dues to the solar rooftop manufacturers who sell their products on subsidized rates to customers and later recover it from the government.

Since, September last year no payment has been made to the manufacturers.

118 solar rooftop manufacturers, approved by Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA), have moved from pillar to post to recover their dues that have surged to Rs 200 crore now.

As per the policy framed for the residential solar rooftop system, the state government provides Rs 10,000 subsidy per kilowatt for maximum 2 kilowatt while the central government’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) provides Rs 20,700 per kilowatt.

This benefits the end customer substantially. The actual cost of 1 Kilowatt capacity solar rooftop is Rs 60,000 but after applying subsidies of both the central and state governments it costs around Rs 41,000.

“Since last September, we have not received the subsidy amount from the central government which is around Rs 200 crore. We are facing a fund crunch because our money remains blocked,” said Rajesh Joshi, Chairman of Federation of Solar Manufacturers and Intermediaries.

However, GEDA, Director, Saidingpuii Chhakchhuak said, “Government of Gujarat has not defaulted on payment and its share has been released. MNRE has not been able to release the subsidy because of some problem. We are constantly in touch with them. The subsidy will be released by end of April.”

Source: TOI