PANAJI
While it has set an ambitious target of installing 21,200 solar rooftop plants by 2027, the Goa Government has now decided to phase out its year-old scheme -- the Goa Vinamulya Vij Yojana (GVVY) -- and to integrate the same under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PM-SGMBY). In January, earlier this year, the government had discontinued the EV subsidy scheme.
The State centric scheme launched in line with PM-SGMBY ensures zero electricity bill and free residential rooftop up to 5KW for residential consumers consuming 400 units or led per month. Apart from this, the Electricity Department offers a complete waiver on power bill charges for a period of ten years.
The move, however, has been objected by the vendors, empanelled with the Goa State Energy Development Agency (GEDA), urging Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, to keep the proposal on hold for now, taking into account the increasing number of applications received for solar rooftop schemes.
During a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, earlier this month, it was decided to phase out the GVVY and integrate it with the PM Surya Ghar scheme under which consumers installing a 3KV solar system will be eligible for subsidies between Rs 1,80,000 to Rs 2,00,000, with Rs 78,000 provided by the Central Government and an additional 30 per cent contributed by the State government.
The electricity generated is purchased by the government, creating a financially viable model for consumers.
“The decision was taken as the government had to shell out additional financial burden in the way of two schemes. Under the central scheme, State has to pay 30 per cent to the beneficiaries, while under the State scheme, it has 100 per cent funding for residential rooftop upto 5KW for residential consumers consuming 400 units per month,” sources informed.
Adding further, sources said that the decision is currently kept on hold following a request from the vendors. “There are several applicants, who are yet to get their share of benefit, while there are applications pending under the scheme. The CM has verbally asked them to clear all applications at the earliest. Also, the Accounts Department is directed to clear pending dues,” sources said.
Until March, an amount of Rs 2.33 crore in form of subsidy was distributed to 245 beneficiaries under the scheme. On the other hand, under PM-SGMBY, a subsidy amounting to Rs 4.28crore has been released.
Goa's performance in PM-SGMBY is steadily progressing with over 4,700 feasibility approvals, and installations generating 7.34 MW of solar power Released subsidies amounting to Rs 4.28 crores
Under the scheme, the government had set a target to install 10 MW of residential rooftops solar panels by 2025 end. A budgetary provision of Rs 35 crore was made under the scheme.
Under the PM-SGMBY, the State has target of installing 21,200 solar rooftop plants across the State by 2027, with a total 65 Megawatt (MW) of green energy generation.
The government is considering making it mandatory rooftop solar installations for specific sectors. The government is also focusing on promoting large-scale rooftop solar adoption in new and existing buildings, including hotels, government offices, and residential complexes.
