Rooftop Solar on Government Buildings
Rooftop Solar on Government Buildings
Context: MNRE data (presented to Parliament in November 2025) shows that Tamil Nadu (~14 MW) and Karnataka (~34 MW) — despite being renewable-energy leaders — are among the weakest performers in rooftop solar installation on government buildings under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
Why is there a need for solar rooftop installation?
- Decentralised Energy Generation: Rooftop solar reduces dependence on centralised grids and high-voltage transmission lines. Enhances energy resilience, especially during peak demand or grid instability.
- Cost Savings for Public Institutions: Government buildings with large, unused roof areas can reduce electricity bills significantly. Rooftop solar has one of the lowest levelised costs of electricity (LCOE).
- Meeting India’s Renewable Energy Targets: India’s target: 300 GW solar capacity by 2030, part of which must come from distributed solar. Rooftops fill the gap between utility-scale projects and household installations.
- Reducing Carbon Footprint: Helps states decarbonise public infrastructure. Government buildings can serve as demonstration sites for wider adoption.
- Avoiding New Land Acquisition: Utility-scale solar requires vast tracts of land → leads to social conflict, ecological pressure. Rooftops use existing urban infrastructure without additional land.
What measures and policies have been adopted for the augmentation of solar rooftop installation?
Global Measures:
- Mandates for New Buildings: Countries like Germany, Spain, and parts of the US (California) require solar panels on new residential or commercial buildings.
- Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs): Early adoption in Germany and Japan guaranteed fixed payments for rooftop solar electricity fed into the grid, spurring rapid growth.
- Net Metering & Smart Grids: Widely adopted in the EU, US, and Australia, allowing consumers to offset electricity bills by exporting surplus solar power.
- Financial Incentives: Tax credits (e.g., US Investment Tax Credit), rebates, and low-interest loans reduce upfront costs.
- International Climate Commitments: Solar rooftop expansion is tied to Paris Agreement goals and national renewable energy targets.
- Community & Shared Solar Models: In countries like the US and Australia, shared rooftop/community solar projects allow renters and low-income households to participate.
Measures and Policies in India:
- PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (2024): Subsidises rooftop solar for 10 million households, providing up to 300 free units of electricity per month. Backed by a $650 million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to overcome financing barriers.
- Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM, 2010): Laid the foundation for solar adoption, including rooftop systems. Offers accelerated depreciation (80%) for businesses investing in rooftop solar.
- MNRE Rooftop Solar Programme Phase II: Targets 30 GW rooftop solar capacity by FY 2027. Provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to households and incentives to distribution companies (DISCOMs).
- Net metering regulations: Allow consumers to feed surplus solar power into the grid and receive credits.
- State-level policies:
- Gujarat pioneered rooftop solar incentives.
- Delhi offers subsidies and simplified approval processes.
- Kerala and Maharashtra have launched rooftop solar missions for schools and hospitals.
Public sector support: Central PSUs like SECI (Solar Energy Corporation of India) and NTPC help states with deployment.
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The Source’s Authority and Ownership of the Article is Claimed By THE STUDY IAS BY MANIKANT SINGH
