Srinagar, Sep 01: The Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) on Friday said there is an unprecedented response to the Rooftop Solar Scheme in the Union Territory, with people in large numbers approaching the department for availing its benefit. It said that around 5 Mega Watt (MW) capacities have already been installed on the residential buildings.
“There is an unprecedented response to the Rooftop Solar Scheme here in the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, with a large number of people approaching the JAKEDA to avail the benefits of the scheme,” Executive Engineer, Khalid Mehmud said.
He said that the intensity of the people’s interest can be gauged from the fact that around 5 Mega Watt capacity has already been installed, which in the case of hydropower generation takes years together with lots of investment and other formalities.
Khalid Mehmud said that the department had already launched a 20-Mega Watt ‘Roof Top Solar Power Plant’ project for Jammu and Kashmir. “Around 5 Megawatt has already been installed. In this scheme we were trying to cover 10,000 households,” he said.
The Centre had initiated solar power plant programmes to provide solar power in far-flung areas to make Jammu and Kashmir self-sufficient in power generation.
There are twin benefits of the scheme. First, a 65% subsidy (40% from the Government of India and 25% from the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir) is being given and second, people’s energy bill is getting reduced substantially.
Moreover, the people are not supposed to face any sort of hassle in getting the solar plants installed as the empanelled firms have the responsibility of providing the net meter and facilitating its installation through JPDCL as per the guidelines of the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission.
In the case of the installation of smart meters by the JPDCL, the firm has to facilitate the consumer in enabling the activation of bi-directional features of the smart meter and supply of complete systems as per technical specifications given by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Moreover, it is the responsibility of the empanelled firm to submit the data in the designated portal software of MNRE/JAKEDA as well as submit the hard copies of the proposal for obtaining the subsidy in the prescribed format to JAKEDA.
Launched in January 2010, the National Solar Mission (NSM) was the first mission to be operationalized under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). Using a three-phase approach, the mission’s objective is to establish India as a global leader in solar energy, by creating the policy conditions for solar technology diffusion across the country as quickly as possible. The initial target of the mission of installing 20 GW grid-connected solar power plants by the year 2022 was enhanced to 100 GW to be achieved by the same target year.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the Administrative Council headed by the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, had approved the installation of Roof Top Solar power plants on Residential Buildings across the state.
The officials said that the rooftop solar system is a great benefit to the borrowers. “Immediately it will get you rid of power cuts. It is cheaper than the conventional electric supply and government subsidies also help bring the cost down. Even the maintenance cost is very low. Experts say that most rooftop solar systems have a life expectancy of up to 25 years and require only basic maintenance such as regular cleaning and repairs. You don’t need additional space for installing it as vacant rooftop space is utilised for installing solar panels. Above all, it reduces carbon footprints by being a clean and renewable source of energy,” they said.
J&K Bank in association with Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) is offering a finance facility for individuals to purchase and install rooftop solar systems to light up their homes. The bank is even offering a finance facility for the purchase of solar water pumps.
When asked about the procedure to obtain the finance facility, the officials said that the individuals intending to install solar rooftop plants have to approach the JAKEDA as the agency has the responsibility to identify and sponsor the beneficiaries. “The agency will forward loan applications, complete in all respects, directly to concerned JK Bank branches along with the quotation providing a detailed breakup of equipment cost, subsidy component and beneficiary share. After the loan is disbursed, the JAKEDA has the responsibility to submit copies of original bills, installation certificates, warranty cards, etc to financing branches within a reasonable time”.
The scheme, JK Bank Solar Equipment Finance Scheme, is open to all having an assured consistent income. For instance, apart from employees of Government /Semi-Government Departments/Bodies/Agencies & PUBLIC Sector Undertakings, professionals or self-employed individuals/businessmen with seasoned credit facilities of more than two years/current account holders(Platinum/Gold/Premium Plus only) are qualified to seek financial assistance under the scheme. Even retired government employees and those engaged in agricultural and allied activities are eligible to seek loan facilities under the scheme.
Massive response for rooftop solar scheme in UT: JAKEDA
