*Chief Minister Atishi reviews progress of ‘Delhi Solar Policy’
*Subsidies under Delhi Solar Policy should be disbursed within a month to consumers who install rooftop solar panels: CM Atishi
*Official guidelines for subsidy distribution should be released within a week: CM Atishi
*Delhi's AAP Govt is India's only state to offer generation-based incentives for solar panel installation: CM Atishi
*Excess electricity generated by consumers will lead to subsidy transfer to their bank accounts within a week: CM Atishi
*Delhi Solar Policy most progressive in country, Govt to launch outreach programs to raise public awareness: CM Atishi
*Delhi Govt targets 20% of city's electricity from solar energy by 2027: CM Atishi
NEW DELHI- 8TH OCTOBER 2024-In a significant step towards sustainable energy, Chief Minister Atishi convened a review meeting on Tuesday on the Delhi Solar Policy. The meeting was held with senior officials from the power department and Delhi’s three electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs) to assess the implementation of the ambitious policy.
Lauded as the most progressive solar initiative in the country, this policy aims not only to empower residents with financial incentives for installing rooftop solar panels but also to make a substantial impact on air quality by reducing pollution levels.
CM Atishi emphasized the importance of timely subsidy distribution, instructing officials to ensure that consumers receive their generation-based and capital subsidies within a month. With outreach programs set to educate the public on the policy's benefits, the Delhi government is poised to transform the energy landscape, targeting a remarkable goal: by 2027, 20% of the city’s electricity consumption will be sourced from solar energy, making Delhi a leader in renewable energy adoption in India.
In the meeting, CM Atishi directed the officials to ensure that consumers who install rooftop solar panels under the Delhi Solar Policy receive their generation-based and capital subsidies within a month. Additionally, she instructed that official guidelines for subsidy distribution be issued within a week.
Addressing this, CM Atishi stated that the Delhi Solar Policy 2023 is one of the most ground-breaking initiatives. Under the policy, the government will offer financial incentives to consumers for each unit of electricity generated through rooftop solar panels. This will ensure zero electricity bills for consumers while allowing them to earn income from their rooftop solar power systems. To ensure that the residents of Delhi are fully aware of this policy and its benefits, the power department and DISCOMs will conduct outreach programs to disseminate information to the public.
It’s also important to note that Delhi’s AAP government is the only one in the country to offer generation-based incentives(GBI) for installing solar panels. Under this policy, consumers receive GBI per unit of electricity produced, which is added to their electricity bill subsidies. Moreover, if a consumer generates more electricity than they consume, the associated subsidies will be transferred to their bank accounts within a week.
CM Atishi highlighted two main objectives of the Delhi government under the Solar Policy. First, to establish Delhi as a leading state in adopting solar energy, contributing to the reduction of air pollution in the city. Second, to reduce electricity bills for non-subsidized residential consumers to zero, and to cut electricity bills by 50% for commercial and industrial consumers. Additionally, the government aims to triple Delhi’s total installed solar capacity from the current 1,500 MW to 4,500 MW by March 2027. This will ensure that by 2027, approximately 20% of Delhi’s electricity consumption comes from solar energy, making it the highest in the country.
*Benefits of the Delhi Solar Policy*
Zero electricity bills even with consumption over 400 units
Under the Delhi Solar Policy 2023, individuals who install solar panels on their rooftops will see their electricity bills drop to zero. Currently, the Delhi government already provides free electricity for up to 200 units per household, resulting in zero electricity bills. For those consuming between 201 and 400 units, half the bill is subsidized, while full bills are issued for consumption above 400 units. With the installation of solar panels, consumers using more than 400 units will also receive zero bills. The policy ensures that all residential sectors in Delhi can have zero electricity bills, regardless of whether they consume 800, 1,000, or 2,000 units of electricity.
*How you will achieve zero bills and earn additional income*
The amount spent on solar panels will be recovered within four years, thanks to the government’s various subsidies. For instance, if a residential consumer uses 360 units of electricity, they fall into the 201-401 unit slab, where half the bill is charged. If the consumer installs a 2kW rooftop solar panel, it would cost around ₹90,000. Post-installation, their electricity bill will become zero, saving them ₹1,370 every month. Additionally, the Delhi government will provide a GBI of ₹700 monthly, resulting in an extra monthly income. Together, the consumer will save approximately ₹2,000 per month, leading to annual savings of ₹24,000, and recovering the ₹90,000 investment within four years. Solar panels last for at least 25 years, ensuring free electricity for 25 years after installation.
*Government will provide incentives for five years*
Under the Delhi Solar Policy, the government offers five types of financial benefits. For example, if you install a 3kW solar panel, the Delhi government will deposit ₹3 per unit of electricity generated into your bank account. For panels with a capacity of 3-10kW, ₹2 per unit will be deposited. These generation-based incentives (GBI) will continue for five years. Delhi is the only state in the country offering generation-based incentives for installing solar panels.
*Commercial and industrial consumers’ bills will be reduced to half*
The Delhi Solar Policy will benefit not only residential consumers but also commercial and industrial ones. Commercial and industrial consumers who install solar panels will see their electricity bills reduced by 50%. They will also receive ₹1 per unit as a GBI for five years. Hence, while residential consumers will have zero bills, commercial and industrial consumers’ bills will be halved after installing solar panels.
Furthermore, the new policy offers GBI of ₹2 per unit for five years to group housing societies and Residential Welfare Associations (RWAs) that install solar panels.
Additionally, consumers are eligible for capital subsidies under this policy. The Delhi government provides a capital subsidy of ₹2,000 per kW of installation for residential consumers, up to a maximum of ₹10,000 per consumer. This subsidy is higher than the one offered by the central government.