Pune : Rooftop Solar Power Generation Thriving in Western Maharashtra
Pune, 16th October 2023 : In Western Maharashtra, the Rooftop Solar Power Generation Scheme is witnessing remarkable success, with 24,387 solar power projects commissioned, and a total power generation capacity of 501 MW achieved. This innovative initiative has garnered support from various sectors, notably from 3,885 households and societies that received subsidies and installed 17 MW rooftop solar power projects. An additional 29,502 households, commercial, industrial, and other consumers have set up a whopping 484 MW rooftop solar energy projects without subsidies.
The essence of this program lies in the installation of solar power generation units on rooftops, enabling users to harness electricity for their consumption while selling excess power to the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL). The Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Energy, New and Renewable Energy of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, has stressed the importance of environmentally friendly solar power generation. Consequently, under the guidance of Lokesh Chandra, Chairman and Managing Director of MSEDCL, various solar power generation schemes have been promoted, with continuous review and acceleration by Prasad Reshme, Director (Projects). As a result, Mahavitaran has already surpassed the Central Government’s target of 100 MW for rooftop solar power generation for domestic consumers from 2022 to January 2024, achieving this goal four months ahead of schedule.
The Rooftop Solar Power Generation Scheme offers subsidies from the Central Government to domestic customers of Mahavitaran, including households, housing associations, and residential welfare organizations. The installation cost of a solar project can be recouped within four to five years, providing benefits for approximately 25 years. Moreover, through net metering, any surplus power generated is credited to the electricity bill of the respective customer by Mahavitran. Pune Regional Director Ankush Nale emphasized the significant financial advantages customers are experiencing and encouraged more electricity consumers in Western Maharashtra to partake in the program.
Since the introduction of subsidies for domestic electricity consumers, the scheme has received an overwhelmingly positive response. Over the last eighteen months, 3,885 domestic consumers in Western Maharashtra have installed projects with a combined capacity of 17.04 MW on their rooftops. The subsidy offers 40 per cent for domestic consumers with projects ranging from 1 to 3 KW and 20 per cent for projects exceeding 3 KW up to 10 KW. Moreover, customers of Group Housing Societies and Residential Welfare Associations receive a 20 per cent subsidy for projects up to 500 kW for collective consumption, with a 10 kW limit for each household.
The overall power generation through rooftop solar panels includes 316.2 MW from 12,876 consumers in Pune district, 39.9 MW from 1,944 consumers in Satara district, 51.2 MW from 3,394 consumers in Solapur, and 63.3 MW from 4,002 consumers in Sangli district, who have commissioned 30.2 MW of rooftop solar projects. Currently, construction is underway for 1.9 MW capacity projects at 144 locations in these five districts, with technical feasibility investigations for 31.4 MW capacity projects at 1,941 locations. Detailed information, online applications, and agency contacts for setting up rooftop solar power generation projects are available on the Mahadiscom website and the dedicated portal, www.mahadiscom.in/ismart.
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