Around 400-odd consumers who have installed solar units over their rooftops at their own cost with the hope of getting reimbursed to the extent of the government’s promised subsidy are somewhat disillusioned because they have been waiting now for six months. While the Goa government has shown tremendous zeal in promoting renewable energy by setting timelines and appealing to citizens to go the solar way, such delays don’t bode well for the initiative.
The State government which has been often referred to as one with a “double engine” is expected to work in close sync with the Centre and work out a seamless system. The delay is not only hurting the solar push but also discourages those who are planning to take that route, besides making it difficult for the government which is currently struggling to create awareness and convince people to go solar. The few takers for solar energy despite the drop in panel prices and the accompanying subsidy is itself testimony to the fact that this journey is not going to be easy. Inconsistencies are bound to affect investor interests. A few months back, those who had installed rooftop solar plants were struggling to apply for the subsidy because of a technical glitch with the portal that was not allowing the State Electricity Department to approve proposals.
Mind you, the subsidy is not a small amount that can be overlooked. Under the revised scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 20 this year, those availing of 1 kW would get a subsidy of Rs 30,000, 2 kW to get Rs 60,000 and 3 kW or higher to get upwards of Rs 78,000. The subsidy is a crucial component of the state's renewable energy policy because it tries to incentivise the solar switch, and in the process achieve the goal of reducing carbon footprint. Indirectly, delays put a question mark on targets.
Goa has set ambitious targets and plans to achieve 100 per cent usage of renewable energy across all sectors by 2050. The Centre has shown even greater urgency. Last year Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy mentioned that the government is planning to achieve 50 per cent cumulative power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. He stressed how solar energy could play a key role in achieving electricity surplus and providing socio-economic benefits to countries.
Back home, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated in March last year that Panaji will be a complete solar city in two years. The government’s plan was simple — to cover buildings with solar panels, beginning with its own structures. Ironically, this idea has been floating since 2017, but nothing has moved in this direction. We need to go beyond words and promises and take the transition process more seriously. The delay in releasing subsidy raises questions on the commitment towards renewable energy. The State government needs to fix this issue on an urgent basis before the common man loses interest in the solar idea.
