Phase-II Of The Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Programme

Description
Phase-II of the Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Programme, is introduced by Ministry of New & Renewable Energy MNRE , Government of India with Jammu & Kashmir Energy Development Agency JAKEDA as a nodal agency in the U.T of Jammu & Kashmir for achieving cumulative capacity of 220MW under 20MW Residential Scheme and 200 MW Jammu Solar City “ Solar City Mission ” respectively. Objectives: The key objectives of the programme are: 1. To promote grid connected RTS in all consumer segments, viz., residential, institutional, social, Govt., commercial, industrial etc. 1. To bring DISCOMs at forefront as key drivers for rapid deployment of RTS. 1. To create awareness, capacity building, human resource development, etc. 1. To promote sustainable business models. 1. To create additional RTS capacity of 38000 MW in the country by 31.12.2022 out of which a capacity of 4000 MW in residential sector with Central Financial Assistance and 34000 MW in other sectors i.e., Social, Government, educational, PSUs, Statutory /Autonomous bodies, Private Commercial, Industrial Sectors etc. by suitably incentivizing DISCOMs. 1. To promote domestic manufacturing of solar cells and module.

Exclusions
• N/A

Benefits
• **Benefits of Phase II GCRT Scheme:**
• A single platform to monitor various Solar PV based plants.
• Consumer gets a subsidy of 40% for 1-3 KW and 20% for above 3Kw capacity.
• Consumer can apply hassle free through “National Portal For Rooftop Solar” on [http://solarrooftop.gov.in.](http://solarrooftop.gov.in) 1. Consumer has to pay only Beneficiary Share and CFA will be disbursed to Empaneled Vendor directly after proper inspection by Jammu & Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA).

Eligibility Criteria
1. Residential consumers and Group Housing Society can apply for the installation of a solar rooftop system.
2. If you have electricity connection in your name and you pay regularly the electricity bill in your own name and also you have the permission of use the roof for solar rooftop installation from the owner, you can install the RTS.

Application Process
Step 1: The applicants willing to install rooftop solar system under simplified procedure will be required to apply through National Portal. In order to register at National Portal the applicant will require an active mobile number and an active e-mail id…
Online — https://jk.ahasolar.in/Static/applyrooftop

The applicants willing to install rooftop solar system under simplified procedure will be required to apply through National Portal. In order to register at National Portal the applicant will require an active mobile number and an active e-mail id. The applicant will also have to download SANDES APP for received OTP.
The entire process has been explained in the following steps.
Step-1: Download SANDES app and register on the National Portal by selecting the local Distribution Company or Electricity department, as the case may be, referred as DISCOM, and enter Electricity connection number / Consumer number mentioned in electricity bill), email id and mobile number. The registration process involves OTP authentication of mobile number and activation through email id. While sending activation link on email, the entire procedure will also be communicated to the applicant.
Step-2: After successful registration the applicant can proceed for submitting application for installation of grid connected rooftop solar system at residential house. The information already entered at the time of registration will be prefilled in the application form and the applicant will have to enter details such as, name on electricity bill, address, capacity of proposed rooftop solar system and details of existing rooftop solar system capacity installed, if any. The applicant also has to upload copy of latest electricity bill. On submission of application, the applicant will get a copy of application on email and it can also be downloaded after login to the portal.
Step-3: Application will be forwarded to the DISCOM for technical feasibility approval as per prevailing regulations. The applicant is advised to initiate installation of the rooftop solar system only after getting the feasibility approval from DISCOM. The technical feasibility approval or rejection, as the case may be, will be informed to the applicant through email.
Step-4. On receipt of feasibility approval from DISCOM, the applicant can proceed to install rooftop solar system. It is mandatory to get the rooftop solar system installed from any of the vendor registered/empaneled with DISCOM. Ministry has specified minimum technical specifications and standards for rooftops solar systems, which are to be followed. The applicant will have the option to choose equipment of higher quality/efficiency. The domestically manufactured solar modules using domestically manufactured solar cells listed in the ALMM should only be used by the applicant. In addition, the inverter should also be BIS certified. In order to protect the interest of the applicant an agreement to be signed between applicant and the vendor and a model format of the agreement is available on National Portal under Help Document section. It is mandatory for the vendor to provide comprehensive maintenance of the rooftop solar plant installed by the firm for at least 5 years.
Step-5: On completion of installation of rooftop solar system, the applicant has to submit project completion details for net-metering and approval (The project completion details will include wattage, make and numbers of solar modules, make and wattage of inverter, name of vendor that has installed the system, uploading of photograph of system, etc). Applicant also has to apply for net-metering. The net-metering application will forwarded to DISCOM and applicant has to follow instructions of DISCOM regarding payment of net-metering charges, signing of net-metering agreement, etc., as applicable.
Step-6: DISCOM officials will install the net-meter and inspect the system for fulfilment of minimum technical specifications and standards.
Step-7: Upon successful inspection and installation of net-meter, commissioning certificate would be generated online by DISCOM.
Step-8: Applicant has to submit bank details and upload copy of cancelled cheque. The fund handling agency will release the central Government subsidy directly into the bank account. The details of central Government subsidy available under simplified procedure may be checked on the National Portal.
Note: The applicant shall also check various informative material placed at Help Document section of the portal for better understanding of the procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a Grid Connected Rooftop Solar PV System?
A: In grid connected rooftop or small solar photovoltaic (SPV) system, the DC power generated from solar panel is converted to AC power using power conditioning unit/Inverter and is fed to the grid

Q: How much area is required for a 1 KWp Rooftop Solar PV System?
A: A 1 kW rooftop system generally requires 10 sq. metres of shadow-free area. However, actual area requirement may vary depending on the efficiency of solar
module, and their placement etc.

Q: What are the advantages of Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar System?
A: * Saving on electricity bill by the consumer.
* Utilization of available vacant roof space, no additional land required.
* Low gestation period.
* No additional requirement of transmission and distribution (T&D) lines.
* Reduces T&D losses as power consumption and generation are collocated.
* Improvement in the tail-end grid voltages and reduction of system congestion.
* Long term energy and ecological security by reduction in carbon emission.
* Better management of daytime peak loads by DISCOM/ utility.
* Meeting of the Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs) of obligated entities.

Q: What Is The Average Cost Of Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Systems?
A: The current benchmark cost of grid-connected rooftop solar systems can be seen in the notification section at https://solarrooftop.gov.in/notifications/view

Q: What is the average cost of Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Systems?
A: Central financial assistance (or subsidy) is available only for residential sector grid-connected solar rooftop projects only. For other sectors e.g. Govt., institutional, social, commercial, industrial etc. CFA is not available.
Central Financial Assistance (CFA)* to Residential sector
* CFA @ 40% of benchmark cost or @40 % of tendered rates (whichever is lower)
for capacity up to 3 kWp
* CFA @ 20% of benchmark cost or 20 % of tendered rates (whichever is lower) for
capacity beyond 3 kWp and up to 10 kWp
* CFA @ 20% of benchmark cost or @ 20 of tendered rates (whichever is lower) for
GHS/RWA capacity up to 500 kWp (limited to 10 kWp per house and total upto
500 kWp)
For calculation of CFA, the PV plant capacity will be inverter capacity or the PV module capacity, whichever is lower. For availing CFA, the PV module and cell shall be manufactured in India only.

Q: Whether residential consumer has to pay the full cost of the system for Residential Sector Subsidised Projects?
A: No. Consumer has to pay the balance amount after deducting the subsidy (eligible CFA) from the L1 project cost discovered by the DISCOMs. Advisory on scheme is also available at https://mnre.gov.in/img/documents/uploads/file_f1610949591054.pdf

Q: How can i apply for installation of Solar Rooftop System?
A: Residential consumers and Group Housing Society can apply for installation of solar rooftop system through the online portal of DISCOMs. The link for the online portal of DISCOMs is mentioned- https://solarrooftop.gov.in/grid_others/discomPortalLink

Q: What is the general procedure for installation of Rooftop Solar System for beneficiary?
A: The interested beneficiary may install the solar rooftop systems through project developers/system integrators/manufactures etc. after taking necessary approval from DISCOMs within the capacity limit as laid down in the order of respective State Electricity Regulatory Commission/Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission of the respective States/UTs.

Q: Can I install Rooftop Solar System If I live in a rented house?
A: The RTS under any framework like net or gross metering can be installed by the electricity consumer. So, if you have electricity connection in your name and you pay regularly the electricity bill in your own name and also you have the permission of use the roof for solar rooftop installation from the owner, you can install the RTS.

Q: What is the minimum warrantee period envisaged under the scheme?
A: Solar PV modules used in solar power plants /systems must be warranted for their output peak watt capacity, which should not be less than 90% at the end of 12 years and 80% at the end of 25 years. The mechanical structures, electrical works including power conditioners/inverters/charge controllers/maximum power point tracker units/distribution boards/digital meters/switch gear/storage batteries, etc. and overall workmanship of the SPV power plants/ systems must be warranted against any manufacturing/ design/ installation defects for a minimum period of 5 years.

Q: What targets has the government kept for installation of Rooftop Solar Plants in the country?
A: Government of India has set the target of installing 40,000 MW of Rooftop Solar (RTS) Power by the year 2022. State-wise tentative targets are available in the website link (State-wise-and-year-wise-target-for-installation-of-40000MWp-GCRTsystems_0.pdf) )