Muzaffarnagar based MSME successfully installs rooftop solar generator; first of its kind in Western UP
Muzaffarnagar based MSME entrepreneur successfully installed a grid connected rooftop solar generator in his factory, which is likely a first of its kind project in Western UP.
The government has been widely promoting solar energy. In 2016, rooftop solar has particularly emerged as a significant segment of the solar market, with over 1000 MW installed. The central government has a solar target of 100 GW by 2022.
Talking to KNN, Naveen Jain, the MSME entrepreneur who installed the grid connected rooftop solar generator shared his experience.
He said, “We are very happy for successful installation of the grid. We have installed the grid connected rooftop solar generator at our own expense. According to the estimates, we will make up for the installation cost within next 3 years. The total life of the generator is 25 years so we will save a lot during this period.”
He said the record low-winning bids of Rs2.97 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) has been finalized to build 750 mega watt (MW) plant at Rewa in Madhya Pradesh.
The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) had in March 2015 approved the state rooftop solar regulation, which allowed consumers in the state to install solar rooftop systems.
Jain, Managing Director, Dayachand engineering, said, “UPERC had made the policy in March 2015 for rooftop solar installation. Out of four discoms, Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Limited had the least awareness about this.”
“The MSME entrepreneurs willing to install solar rooftop system had to face a lot of difficulty. The discoms till date don’t have any meters available with them. We made private purchases and then only the installation was done.”
Jain said on one hand the government is massively promoting solar rooftops but on the other hand when one goes for installing it, there are many hurdles on the way. “All we needed from the discom was an agreement and a meter.”
Apart from the challenges from discoms front, there were other problems from banks’ side in getting finance, he pointed. A
“We approached Punjab National Bank for financing first but they said these are not viable without subsidies,” he said adding that then, “We approached SIDBI and they financed for this.”
The entrepreneur noted that it took 22 months to install solar rooftop system.
The entrepreneur pointed that neither the Centre nor the State Governments are providing any subsidies for solar rooftop system but at least they should create awareness amongst the discoms to promote solar energy and improve ease of doing business.
Source:knnindia
