The Kejriwal government in Delhi has made electricity free for families that consume 200 units of electricity. Many people in Delhi are taking advantage of this. However, those who consume more than 200 units have to pay a large amount in bills and also face power outages, especially during the summer season. To address this issue, the Delhi government is encouraging the production and consumption of clean and green energy. As part of this initiative, they are promoting the installation of elevated solar panels on rooftops.
The Energy Department has prepared a draft of the Delhi Solar Policy, which is now awaiting approval from the cabinet. According to the draft, people will be allowed to install solar panels at a height of 6 to 10 feet on their roofs. The government will provide a maximum subsidy of Rs 10,000 for the installation of elevated solar panels. The subsidy will be Rs 2,000 per kilowatt, up to a maximum of 5 kilowatts. However, no subsidy will be provided if the solar panels are installed at a height of less than 6 feet.
Currently, the central government provides a subsidy of 20 to 40% based on kilowatt for solar panel installations. The cost of installing a kilowatt solar panel ranges from Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000. With the implementation of the Delhi government’s draft, it will become even more affordable for people. The solar panels can be used for approximately 25 years, and the cost of the scheme will be recovered in five to six years.
The Delhi Solar Policy aims to achieve a target of 6,000 MW of solar capacity by 2025. This will increase the share of solar power in Delhi’s yearly electricity demand from 9% to 25%, the highest in the country. The government plans to encourage residents to install solar panels in every home in the city. Currently, Delhi generates 250 MW of solar power. This program will not only promote the use of clean energy but also create over 12,000 green jobs in Delhi.
To avail the subsidy and install solar panels, residents need to have a government-issued identity card such as PAN, Aadhaar, Passport, Driving License, or Voter ID. They also need to submit an income certificate and an electricity bill. Additionally, a picture of the roof where the solar panel will be installed is required. It’s important to note that approximately 10 square meters of space is needed for every kilowatt of solar energy.
