In Short : The push for solar energy includes a notable initiative offering a 60% subsidy for rooftop solar plants. This incentive aims to promote the adoption of solar power among individuals and businesses, fostering renewable energy usage and contributing to sustainability goals.
In Detail : Considering domestic household’s reluctance to install rooftop solar power systems and to give further push to solar energy generation in the State, the Goa Cabinet on Monday granted its nod to the revised solar power policy, under which domestic consumers would be eligible for subsidy of 60 per cent for installing rooftop plants.
The Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told the State Legislative Assembly that the revised policy is approved by the Cabinet, under which 60 per cent subsidy will be provided for rooftop plant installation. He also said that within the next two years all the government buildings will be fixed with solar rooftops.
Earlier speaking, Minister for New and Renewable Energy Ramakrishna Dhavalikar said that the Cabinet has revised the policy and the same would be implemented in next eight days. “This will give a boost to generation and use of green energy within the State and reduce the quantum of power purchase from outside the state,” he said.
They were responding after Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai questioned the need to purchase green power worth Rs 16 crore from Arunachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited, when according to the Central data, Goa is 31 per cent more efficient then Arunachal Pradesh in solar power generation.
Sardesai questioned that instead of spending on green power purchase, State should have invested the money within Goa for solar power generation.
Assuring the legislator that the State won’t purchase any solar power in future, the Chief Minister said that as per Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), Goa has to complete its Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) target by purchasing power from approved traders.
According to the existing solar power policy, the Union Ministry for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) gives 40 per cent subsidy for domestic consumers who install 1kW to 3kW rooftop solar power plants with the state government providing an additional 10 per cent subsidy. Rooftop solar plants with a capacity between 4kW and 10 kW attract 20 per cent subsidy from MNRE with Goa providing an additional 30 per cent.
