12 Dec 2021
On Thursday, MNRE confirmed that no vendor has been approved by it to install rooftop solar and encouraged consumers to pay only the prices set by power distribution utilities, or discoms. It was discovered that certain sellers were claiming to be authorized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to install rooftop solar under the Grid-connected Rooftop Solar Scheme (Phase-II). The discoms select vendors through a competitive bidding process and set rates for installing rooftop solar plants. The government will provide a 40% discount for the first 3 kW and a 20% subsidy for the next 3 kW and up to 10 kW under the scheme. Local Electricity Distribution Companies are implementing the scheme across the states (discoms).
“It has come to the Ministry’s attention that certain rooftop solar companies/vendors are erecting rooftop solar plants while claiming to be Ministry-approved vendors.”
“The Ministry has stated that no vendor has been approved. Only DISCOMs in the state is implementing this scheme. The DISCOMs have chosen vendors through a competitive bidding procedure and determined rates for installing rooftop solar plants “In a statement, the MNRE said. Almost all discoms, according to the MNRE, have issued online processes for this purpose. Residential customers who want to build a rooftop solar plant under the MNRE program can apply online and have it installed by one of the listed vendors. They must cover the cost of the rooftop solar plant by decreasing the subsidy amount provided by the ministry to the vendor at the authorized rate.
It added that the procedure is available on the Discoms’ online portal. The ministry will distribute the subsidy money to the suppliers through the discoms. Domestic users are advised that in order to qualify for a subsidy under the ministry’s scheme, they must install rooftop solar plants exclusively from Discoms’ empanelled suppliers after going through the Discoms’ approval process, according to the statement. The solar panels and other equipment installed by the empanelled vendors must meet the ministry’s standards and specifications, as well as the vendor’s five-year maintenance of the rooftop solar plant, according to the government. The government has also been informed that some vendors are charging higher prices than the rates set by discoms from domestic users, which is incorrect, according to the ministry.
Consumers should only pay according to the prices set by the discoms. They’ve been told to find and punish such vendors, according to the report.
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