Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar Project Inaugurated

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today (23 August) launched the grid-connected rooftop solar project through net-metering system.

"I hope establishing rooftop solar systems through net-metering will be well accepted by the people. I wish the initiative all success," Patnaik said.

Patnaik also launched the web portal of the rooftop solar programme www.rtsodisha.gov.in.

Under the programme, consumers can install solar plants on their rooftops and consume the generated solar power during the day time. Excess power can be sold to the grid through service cables, said the secretary to science and technology department Vir Vikaram Yadav.

The additional solar power generated could be exported through net-meter, a special type of meter which will be provided by the respective distribution companies. The difference between buying from the grid and selling to it will be billed to the consumer.

Consumers can reduce their consumption of electricity by using solar power and simultaneously get a reduced bill on account of selling solar power to the grid, he said.

The investment on a rooftop solar system is about Rs 70,000 per kw. The state government will provide 30 percent subsidy to the consumers.

Officials said Odisha envisages renewable energy capacity addition of 2750 megawatt by 2022 and a major part of this capacity addition target has been assigned to solar power with a share of 2200 MW.

Roof top potential in Odisha has been estimated at 5000 MW. For the current year, a target of 8 MW has been fixed of which 4 MW has been exclusively assigned to Bhubaneswar, they said.

(PTI)