Rooftop Solar

Solar power developers are invited to install an aggregate 40 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar capacity upon different government departments and private institutions’ buildings. Bidding closes on February 17.

The EPC firm has synced the solar plant with a smart grid-interactive inverter system, which will enable the hospital to run its medical emergency services and diagnostic facilities without any glitches.

The developers’ body has sought the power minister’s intervention to withdraw the restriction of 10 kW capacity for net metering under the recently notified Electricity (Amendment) Rules, 2020, saying the provision will prevent high-load industrial consumers from switching to solar.

Bidders have until February 23 to lodge interest for the solar capacity, which is to be developed in RESCO model and has levellized ceiling tariff fixed at INR 4/kWh.

Challenges like frequent policy and regulatory changes, high capital costs, low awareness, non-uniformity in approval processes across states, restriction on net metering, and additional charges by DISCOMs need to be addressed for rooftop solar to take off in India.

The financing scheme, available only to Tata Power customers, provides collateral-free loans at an interest rate less than 10% for both off-grid and on-grid rooftop solar connections.

Simarpreet Singh, director at EPC firm Hartek Group, speaks to pv magazine about the impact of the Covid pandemic on the rooftop solar sector, technology trends shaping the market, and the outlook for 2021.

The 919.73 kWp captive solar plant at the module manufacturer’s Falta unit in West Bengal uses multiple PV technology advancements, including its own SOMERA monocrystalline, half-cut and full-cut cell panels. 

The work includes consultancy for demand aggregation and implementation of 1060 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar PV systems. Applications can be submitted until January 1, 2021.

Bids are invited to set up 30 MW grid-connected solar capacity across various locations in the State. The projects shall be awarded through domestic competitive bidding. Bidding closes on January 7.