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Major Initiatives

Concessional Loans for RTS Developers

As no Central financial subsidy is now available for commercial and industrial sectors, MNRE initiated the proposal for multilateral concessional loans from the World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and New Development Bank (NDB) to support RTS project developers. All the three multilateral banks have approved proposal for$1370 million concessional loans to State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Canara Bank respectively. Ministry of Finance has approved special guarantee fee for supporting RTS sector.

As a part of this assistance, SBI and World Bank have recently signed the Agreement of USD 620 million for Grid Connected Solar Rooftop Program. Similarly Asian Development Bank (ADB) and New Development Bank (NDB) have approved Concessional Loan of USD 500 million and USD 250 million through PNB and Canara Bank respectively.

Ref: http://mnre.gov.in/file-manager/UserFiles/Financing-of-RE-projects-by-Banks-&-FIs.pdf

Online Portal for Rooftop Solar ‘SPIN’

MNRE for monitoring and management of Grid Connected PV Rooftop Projects in India, launched an online application called SPIN (Solar Power in India). The application is developed by the NIC and is available for use of all stakeholders at www.solarrooftop.gov.in

The main objectives of this online platform is to make all process involved in the installation of Grid Connected Rooftop Systems transparent. Some of the major tasks conducted on SPIN portal include:

Empanelment of channel partners/agencies and their management
Managing proposals, sanctions, targets of empaneled agencies
Monitoring of installation of RTS systems
Disbursement of subsidy (Under proposed discussions)
Create awareness for RTS & installation interest form for general public
Create Geo-referenced database of all RTS projects.

Using this portal more than 1150 Channel Partners/New Entrepreneurs have been empaneled to tap the solar potential available in the various sectors in the country.

Incentive scheme for Distribution Companies

MNRE has proposed an incentive scheme to bring DISCOMs to the forefront in RTS implementation by providing them performance enabling financial support to accelerate deployment of RTS systems within their distribution area. This Scheme would provide financial assistance in the form of grant up to maximum of Rs. 37.5 lakh per installed MW of RTS. The thrust will be on the outcomes and performance improvement of DISCOM through required reforms. The key objectives of the proposal is to:

Expand RTS projects by supporting capacity of 1350 MW in various sectors, and
Support the DISCOMs to assess up-gradation and modernization requirements of their distribution network, facilitate demand aggregation, developing consumer awareness, developing enabling forms/ processes, meter/ equipment procurement, capacity development, etc.

Ref: http://solarrooftop.gov.in/notification/Notification-08112016901.pdf

Scheme for Urban Local Bodies (ULB)

MNRE is also focusing on upcoming buildings/new construction, so that these have RTS installation as a mandatory requirement. ULBs play a pivotal role in accelerating the RTS in new construction in their area by implementing Model Building Bye-laws.

To enable RTS development from planning stage, Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) has recently amended Model Building Bye-laws for including RTS plants for major building projects. MNRE is proposing support and awards for ULBs through an incentive scheme designed for Urban Local Bodies. RTS is also being done under the solar cities programme of the MNRE.

Standardisation of RTS Documents

To ease and expedite the process of RTS implementation in Government sector, model bidding documents for both CAPEX and RESCO modes has been developed by MNRE; i.e. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for execution between Organisation/ ULB/Ministry /Departments and PSU, Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Agreement for CAPEX /Ownership model and Power Purchase Agreement for RESCO /PPA mode RTS projects. All these documents have been duly vetted by the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice and Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. These model documents have been made available in public domain.

Ref: http://solarrooftop.gov.in/notification/Notification-24112016.pdf

Implementation of RTS on all Government Rooftops

MNRE has been collating data about RTS potential of rooftops and surplus areas of Government building premises of various Ministries/Departments. Commitment Certificates of about 3800MWp has been received from different Ministries/Departments. To expedite the RTS installation on these in Ministerial and Departmental buildings, MNRE has shortlisted 11 Public Sector

Undertakings (PSUs) to assist the Ministries/Departments through Project Management Consultancy (PMC). Under such PMC, the scope of work of the PSUs would essentially cover, but not limited to coordination with the Ministry/Department, collection of list of sites, site visits, solar potential assessment, technical evaluation, finalisation of feasibility report, finalization of bidding documents in either CAPEX or RESCO mode, collation of State wise projects for economics of scale, submission of project proposals and project completion reports (PCRs) in SPIN portal, getting sanction from MNRE, undertaking bidding process, selection of vendors, monitoring implementation, ensuring net metering as per the State/UT policies, quality control, supervision during O&M period, dispute resolution and contract management.

Ref: http://solarrooftop.gov.in/notification/Notification-01122016.pdf

50MW Rooftop Solar on CPWD

Buildings SECI has undertaken competitive bidding at national level for 50 MWp grid connected rooftop projects in RESCO mode on buildings of Central Public Works Department. In this scheme Power Purchase Agreements have been signed between CPWD and various developers on the basis of allotment and installation is into progress.

500 MWp Grid Connected Rooftop Power Plant Scheme

SECI has undertaken competitive bidding at national level for 500 MWp grid connected rooftop projects. CFA (subsidy) of 30% of the benchmark cost for residential, institutional and social sector will be provided through SECI under this scheme. A total of 122 developer/Installers have been selected for RTS installations across the country. CFA is not applicable for private commercial and industrial sector.

Interested roof owners may get the state wise list of successful developers with quoted price from (www.seci.gov.in) and contact Solar Energy Corporation of India for further details.

1000 MWp Grid Connected Rooftop Power Plant

Scheme SECI has issued tender for development of 1000 MWp of rooftop solar power project(s) on pre identified government owned buildings. Out of the entire tendered capacity, 700 MWp is to be implemented under the RESCO route where the project shall be owned, developed & maintained by the developer (3rd party). Balance 300 MWp shall be implemented under the CAPEX mode.

Ref:http://www.seci.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Final%20Tender%20Documents%20for%201000MW%20RT%20Solar%20PV%20Tender.pdf

Technical Assistance / Cooperation

MNRE has liaised with World Bank, Asian Development Bank, GIZ, European Union and USAID to provide technical assistance and support for RTS programme. Thus the PV Rooftop Cell has been established at MNRE under the technical cooperation with the European Union in order to expedite Rooftop Solar implementation and to support stakeholders.

MNRE has also collaborated with USAID, ADB, WB and GIZ for technical support to DISCOMs and SNA for faster deployment of grid connected rooftop solar. The support from these multilateral/ bilateral institutions to the allocated DISCOMs/SNAs will, inter alia, cover:

At State, DISCOMs & SNA Level

Gap analysis & action plans;
Establishing solar cell & technical committees:
National/ State & Utility levels by providing technical experts;
Handholding of Selected utility /DISCOM/ state electrical inspectors by deploying expert staffs;
Review and Streamlining of process and developing timelines;
Development of unified web portal at the Nation/ State levels; Development of customer support centre for rooftop solar for the State/UT levels;
Streamlining of forms and formats for interconnection application, approval and site verification;
Transaction advisory service for ensuring time-bound processing of net- metering/grid-connectivity/subsidy/loan applications;
Training & Capacity Building programmes for SNA/SERC/Electrical Inspectors/DISCOMs/Bank Staffs.

Awareness / Media Campaign

Designing & developing Media Campaign in local language for rooftop solar;
Issuing advertisement in print and electronic media (also in local languages) at national and state level;
Development of Massive open online courses for ULB, Households, Developers, Installers;
Designing and issuing brochures on Solar Rooftop Programme;
National Training Portal Design Training of officers of Utility/ DISCOM/ Electrical Inspectors from all States/UTs;
Development of National Monitoring Centre;
Developing and printing model tender documents, Power Purchase Agreements for RESCO projects & RPC agreement for CAPEX projects.

Capacity Building

Selection, financing and monitoring of Training partner institutions;
Development of training modules for learners and trainers;
Training of Entrepreneurs /Installers /Corporates /DISCOM-SNA-Banks-SERC-CRI staffs/officers;
National Knowledge exchange programs and study tours;
National training web portal integrated with NISE/MNRE websites;
Workshops for ULBs, real estate developers and other stakeholders;
Coordination with Green Skill Jobs Council;
Legal Advisory on different kind of agreements grants under multilateral/Bilateral funds;
Training of Bank Staffs both at head quarter and regional level.

Literature Development

Documentations, Case Studies and Discrimination;
Developing Model tender, PPA documents for States, SNAs and DISCOMs;
Training of utility engineers;
National guidelines for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)

Other Major Initiatives

Closely working with DGS&D for developing standardized rate contract for Rooftop Solar implementation.
In order to facilitate the installation of solar rooftop systems, increase customer awareness & participation, MNRE launched a mobile application. This is will be made available to all SNAs/ DISCOMs for adaption in local languages.

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