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Gujarat, under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has emerged as a trailblazer in promoting solar innovation and renewable energy adoption across India. With a commendable 2000 MW capacity and an impressive 82% contribution to India’s total rooftop solar installations under the MNRE’s Phase-II Programme, Gujarat has established itself as the leading state in solar advancements.

EMBRACING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Gujarat has actively promoted the adoption of solar energy through forwardthinking initiatives, achieving significant milestones in just four years. Over 5 lakh consumers in the state have embraced rooftop solar systems, amassing a total capacity of 2000 MW. This achievement aligns with the national goal of achieving 40 GW cumulative capacity from rooftop solar, with a significant 4 GW targeted for the residential sector.

SURYA-GUJARAT SCHEME: ILLUMINATING GREEN ENERGY

The “SURYA-Gujarat” scheme, initiated in August 2019, exemplifies Gujarat’s commitment to green energy. Offering a 40% subsidy for individual owners for the first 3KW and 20% for up to 10KW, the scheme also provides a 20% subsidy to Group Housing Societies (GHS) and Residential Welfare Associations (RWA) for mass penetration.

MNRE’S PHASE-II RTS PROGRAMME: CENTRAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT COLLABORATION

The MNRE’s Phase-II RTS Programme, also known as “SURYA URJA ROOFTOP YOJNA,” was launched by the Central Government to achieve a cumulative capacity of 40 GW from rooftop solar projects. In August 2019, the Government of Gujarat entrusted the implementation of solar rooftops in the state to GUVNL, a holding company of four subsidiaries – DGVCL, MGVCL, UGVCL, and PGVCL.

SCHEME OVERVIEW

The SURYA-Gujarat scheme is effective since August 2019, targeting residential consumers, GHS, and RWA. Subsidies range from 40% for the first 3 KW to 20% for 3 to 10 KW for residential connections and 20% for up to 500 KW for common facility connections of GHS/RWA. The surplus power purchase rate is set at Rs. 2.25 per unit for the first five years.

SOLAR POLICY AND INITIATIVES

The success of the scheme is attributed to the unwavering political will of the State Government. The solar policy of net metering, absence of capacity restrictions, arrangements for sale of power generation, no banking charges for residential rooftop consumers, and up to 40% subsidy benefit to consumers have collectively propelled the adoption of solar power.

SMOOTH TENDERING PROCESS

Gujarat‘s DISCOMs actively engaged in a streamlined tendering process, ensuring simplicity and transparency. A separate category for experienced and new entrepreneurs encouraged widespread participation, fostering healthy competition.

DEVELOPMENT OF CONSUMER AND STATE PORTALS

The development of the “www. suryagujarat.com” portal, along with the state portal “https://suryagujarat. guvnl.in,” allowed for a transparent and efficient application process. Training and capacity accreditation of numerous agencies, played a pivotal role in executing the scheme efficiently.

TASK-WISE TIMELINE AND PERFORMANCE-BASED QUOTAS

DISCOMs monitored a task-wise timeline to ensure the seamless execution of the scheme. The introduction of performance-based quotas for vendors encouraged competition and efficiency, contributing to the overall success of the program.

GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL MECHANISM AND BI-DIRECTIONAL METERS

An online grievance redressal mechanism and the proactive planning of bulk purchases for bi-directional meters demonstrated Gujarat’s commitment to customer satisfaction and simplifying the installation process for consumers.

TIMELY DISBURSEMENT OF SUBSIDY AND MNRE’S SUPPORT

The timely allocation of corpus funds by the State Government and the support from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) further solidified the success of the scheme. MNRE’s Phase-II Rooftop Solar (RTS) program played a crucial role, allocating the highest capacity of approximately 2190 MW to Gujarat DISCOMs.

PRESENT STATUS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Since the inception of the scheme, more than 5 lakh consumers have installed rooftop systems, contributing to a total capacity of above 2000 MW. Gujarat stands at the top position in the country for the installation of solar rooftop systems, contributing 31% of India’s total solar rooftop installations. Moreover, Gujarat contributes an impressive 82% of India’s total solar rooftop installations under MNRE’s Phase-II program.

ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

From 2019 to FY 2022-2023, residential rooftop consumers injected a total of 921.67 million surplus units into the grid, resulting in earnings amounting to Rs. 207 Crores. This not only benefits consumers but also provides DISCOMs with cheaper power without transmission and distribution losses.

CONCLUSION

Gujarat’s exemplary journey in promoting solar rooftop installations showcases the state’s dedication to sustainable practices and sets an inspiring example for the rest of the nation. The collective efforts of the State and Central Government have paved the way for a greener and more sustainable future, making Gujarat a leader in renewable energy adoption in India.

Views shared by Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited.

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