Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 1: The Delhi government has approved a major revision to its solar energy policy under which around 2.3 lakh households will receive solar panels free of cost, while the government will also bear the maintenance expenses of the installed systems.

The decision was announced after a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday. Gupta and Delhi Minister Ashish Sood addressed a press conference and outlined details of the revised Delhi Solar Energy Policy.

Sood said the Cabinet had approved the second amendment to the Delhi Solar Energy Policy. Under the revised policy, households consuming up to 400 units of electricity will be eligible for free installation of solar panels. The government aims to extend the benefit to around 2.3 lakh households and complete the rollout by March 2027.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the decision was taken as the PM Surya Ghar scheme had not gained sufficient momentum in Delhi. Under the revised policy, the Delhi government will provide the incentive upfront instead of after five years as was the case earlier. The government will also take responsibility for maintaining the solar systems installed under the scheme.

Under the new arrangement, the Centre will provide Rs 78,000 for a 3-kW solar system, while the Delhi government will provide an additional Rs 78,000. Consumers who are already receiving a subsidy for electricity consumption of up to 200 units will continue to receive the existing benefit.

The Delhi government's subsidy will be provided over and above the assistance available under the Centre's PM Surya Ghar scheme. Eligible households can therefore benefit from both central and Delhi government support, reducing the upfront financial burden of installing rooftop solar systems.

The government has also decided to waive registration fees for consumers installing solar systems of up to 10 kW. The measure is aimed at simplifying the installation process and encouraging more households to adopt rooftop solar power.

The Delhi government has set a broader target of connecting lakhs of additional households with solar energy as part of its renewable energy push. According to the government, solar panels have so far been installed in 10,070 homes across Delhi, generating around 228 MW of solar power.

The government has set a target of generating 500 MW of solar power in Delhi by February 2027. The revised policy is aimed at providing financial relief to households while substantially increasing the national capital's renewable energy capacity.