Goa Producers and Consumers To Get  Solar Subsidy

As solar becomes too mainstream with passing time, it is gradually becoming economically viable to install a solar system. However, to boost solar adoption across the country various state governments announce subsidies from time to time, to encourage consumers and producers alike.

In the latest of this kind, the Goa State Solar Policy has approved an amendment entitling consumers and producers of solar power to receive a 50% subsidy on capital costs. They were earlier receiving an interest-free loan which was to be recovered in installments,  after six months from the time the power flows into the grid.

Also, read It’s Time For The Indian States With Low Solar Utilization Rates To Sit Up & Take Notice

The subsidy will comprise of 30% from the center and the balance 20% from the state. The state subsidy will be granted after six months of the solar power being injected into the grid. The subsidy will be  the lowest of:

a) 50% of the capital cost

b) the benchmark cost by MNRE or

c) cost arrived at through tendering process by the GEDA (Goa Energy Development Agency)

Prosumers who have installed the solar system after December 2017 will be entitled to the new subsidy. Subsidy on capital costs will be provided to prosumers in the residential, institutional and social sector categories. After the amendment, subsidies will be provided to plants up to a capacity of 100kW for standalone systems. An electric meter from the state department will also be installed at the site. Consumers installing over 100 kW systems will have to procure approved meters at their own cost. You can read more details on www.geda.goa.gov.in

Goa has been pursuing solar power aggressively given the high amount of solar radiation it receives. A single-window clearance portal for grid-connected rooftop solar system is already on its verge of being implemented. It will simplify the process further. Consumers will just have to log onto the portal and provide details like email id and mobile number, to start the process. Goa is perceived as a home for a lot of salaried people in India. These people aspire to retire in Goa and the state has been receiving a lot of interest in its real estate market from these buyers. If the state is successful in establishing a strategic solar policy, it could go a long way in solving the state’s power problems in the future and also provide a more reliable and sustainable source of power.