India must embrace rooftop solar to achieve net-zero: TSREDCO chief
Says low rooftop adoption is due to people’s hesitation, despite potential free power for 25 years
(Centre) N Janaiah, Vice CMD, TSREDCO Ltd; Ajay Mishra, Chairman, Indian Red Cross Society, during the 8th edition of RenewX in Hyderabad on Friday
Hyderabad: Out of the 72 GW solar capacity installed across India, only 11 GW is contributed by roof top solar installation, out of which 2.7 GW is from the domestic sector. This indicates poor penetration of roof top solar into households of India and Telangana. Whereas, only through roof top solar installations, net zero goal can be achieved, said TSREDCO Vice Chairman and Managing Director N Janaiah.
He was speaking at the eight edition of RenewX, a B2B expo of Renewable Energy innovation, held in Hyderabad on Friday. The two-day event is likely to attract a footfall of over 5,000, where 150 domestic and international exhibitors are participating. Conferences, and CEO roundtables focusing on net-zero strategies is also lined-up.
On a query about the reason behind low penetration of roof top solar systems in households, Janaiah told Bizz Buzz, “Low volume of roof top solar installations is because of the mindset of people. They are not coming forward to get roof top solar installed. What I am saying is, if Rs 1.50 lakh has been invested into installing a 3kW system, individual households can reap 25 years of free power and minimum 12 units of solar power is generated daily for the whole year. Here, the customer has to calculate their savings against the investment, (investment is) deducted by the subsidy of Rs 78,000.”
When asked about various complaints raised by consumers facing challenges while registering on the National Portal for PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, he said, “During the platform launch there was IT related issue. The platform was not properly designed. Besides, everyone was anxious to be the first to register as it is on first come first serve basis. I would like to inform that still there is lot of scope, and the process has been streamlined now. If there are any hitches they can raise complaint with the local Discom or reach us at our office.”
On the uncertainty looming over gated communities and resident welfare associations (RWA) after the phase-2 of the Grid policy was subsumed with the current scheme, Janaiah informed that the gated communities will have to directly approach the local Discoms to apply for roof top solar installation, or get their clarifications cleared.
He told that so far (from February 2024) 6,000 people in Telangana have registered for PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. When asked, how will the Discoms handle the demand for net meters, he said, “Earlier, because of low incentive amount there was issue with procurement of net metres. With enhancement of subsidy from Rs 18,000 to Rs 30,000 per kW for domestic systems, now targets have been revised and procurement has been done accordingly by the local Discoms. For example, if average registration is 20 per day in Hyderabad then the Discom will procure 40 net meters.”
Commenting on the demand for enhancing Open Access policy from 1 MW to 5 MW capacity, he said that even 1 MW is being underutilised in Telangana as many MSMEs are not switching over to Renewable Energy (RE). “SIDBI is offering finance solutions at low interest rates for industries to convert to RE, yet industries have to be educated by creating awareness by roping in finance providers and RE corporation,” he added.
Ajay Mishra, former Principal Secretary, Department of Energy, Telangana government, highlighted the conflicting contradictory development of RE in India. He said, “While we get to witness growth in non fossils capacity addition, on the other side coal production has increased by 12 per cent in the country. When India’s share increases in the global economy so will carbon emission. Why isn’t discussions around this not being held?”
