Goa aims to cover 50% households with rooftop solar plants in year

Panaji: The long-pending issue of disbursement of central financial assistance under Phase 2 of the rooftop solar scheme has been resolved, bringing relief to 346 beneficiaries in Goa, said Union minister of state for power and new and renewable energy Shripad Naik on Wednesday.

Naik, the North Goa MP, said that under the revamped scheme — PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana — state govt has set a target to cover a minimum of 50% households in Goa with rooftop solar plants within the next one year.

He said that from the first week of May, awareness meetings will be organised at every village panchayat in Goa. Central govt officials will be in Goa to get the maximum number of households registered under the scheme, he added.

“Around 346 beneficiaries of the rooftop solar plants scheme were to receive subsidies. The financial assistance, given to beneficiaries through empanelled vendors, had faced delays due to discrepancies in the process,” Naik said. “That raised concerns among the affected beneficiaries. We held a meeting with state govt and we have resolved the issue and filled in all the gaps.”

He added, “The second instalment will be distributed shortly. We have paid instalments amounting to more than Rs 1 crore already. I appeal to all Goans to avail themselves of the scheme.”

Naik said the cost of installing a 3KV generating rooftop solar plant is Rs 1.8 lakh to Rs 2 lakh, of which around Rs 78,000 is provided by central govt, and state govt provides another 30% subsidy.

“Within a year, the power produced by the prosumer will be transferred to the grid. Whatever power is consumed by the prosumer is deducted and the remaining energy produced will be transferred to the grid and the prosumer will be paid for the energy generated,” Naik said. “The power bill will be reduced to zero in most cases for prosumers.”

A ‘prosumer’ refers to someone who both produces and consumes electricity.

Naik said that the scheme will also help India achieve its target of zero emissions and will help reduce pollution in the country.

“It will benefit you and the nation. At present, the electricity that we are consuming is produced by burning coal. But if we use this green energy, it will help us reach our target of zero emissions,” Naik said. “The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a major part of meeting this target. It will help greatly in reducing pollution. One has to register online for the scheme.”

People had stopped registering, fearing that subsidy is not being received, but this has now been streamlined, Naik said. Around 500 have installed rooftop solar plants so far in Goa, he said.