New Delhi, Jan. 6 The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is all set to promote the setting up of megawatt-capacity grid-connected solar power generation in the country.
The MNRE Secretary, Mr V. Subramanian, told Business Line this is being done to demonstrate technical performance of megawatt-size grid-interactive solar power generation, and reduce cost of solar components and solar power generation.
He said solar thermal power plants have been installed globally in MW-capacity range but no such plant has been installed in the country till now.
He said currently the country gets solar energy equivalent to over 5,000 trillion kWh per year and the daily average solar energy incident over different parts of India is about 4-7 kWh per square metre, depending on the location.
He said while the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in India is of 200 kwp capacity currently, the experience with grid-connected PV plants was limited mostly to 25 kwp capacity plants with battery backup, and these plants are underpinned by MNRE subsidy.
Generation-based fillip
Mr Subramanian said owing to the high initial capital cost of solar power plants and the cost of electricity from such plants (Rs 15 per kWh in grid without battery as opposed to Rs 1.75-3.50 in small hydro), the Ministry has decided to provide a generation-based fillip.
This would consist of a maximum of Rs 12 per kWh for electricity generated from solar PV, and Rs 10 per kWh for electricity generated through solar thermal power plants and fed to the grid from a grid-interactive solar power plant of one MWp and above capacity.
He said this subvention would be provided to project developers at a fixed rate for a span of 10 years and the MNRE incentive would be worked out taking into account the tariff provided by the utility to the solar power producer.
He further said that the utilities are expected to purchase solar power at the rate usually provided by them for medium-term power purchase or the highest rate fixed by the State Electricity Regulatory Commission for purchase of power from any other renewable energy source. | 