Delhi eyes 2 GW rooftop solar power capacity by 2022

Constrained by a shortage of land to set up large-scale solar power projects, the Delhi Government is looking at innovative ways to promote rooftop solar power projects. Delhi’s Ministry of Power recently announced that it is planning to install 1 GW worth of rooftop solar power capacity in the capital over the next 4 to 5 years, with a medium-term target to have a total of 2 GW installed solar power capacity by 2025. The Delhi government is looking to set up solar power systems atop bus stops, metro stations, and railway stations.

The government will also consider innovative measures to incentivize households to install rooftop solar power systems. A net-metering scheme is already operational in Delhi. The Delhi government is looking at new ways to raise funds to finance installation of solar power systems. The power minister mentioned the concept of solar power mutual funds, wherein investors would be eligible to consume a percentage of electricity at a fixed rate, possibly for a fixed amount of time, which could be in months or even years. The incentive could mean that households that invest in rooftop solar power systems would be shielded from the frequent electricity tariff revisions implemented by the utilities.

Power supply and electricity tariffs in Delhi have been a source of bitter political battles. Additionally, utilities in Delhi have also been struggling to fulfil their renewable purchase obligation due to lack of land resources to set up large-scale solar power projects. Thus, rooftop solar power systems seems to be the only option for Delhi.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, one of the largest non-domestic consumers of power in Delhi, has already installed some rooftop solar power systems at its stations, with a target to have 50 MW capacity installed over the next few years. The New Delhi Municipal Corporation, the local governing authority, also plans to set up rooftop solar power systems across all government buildings under its jurisdiction. 

http://cleantechnica.com/2015/09/04/delhi-eyes-2-gw-rooftop-solar-power-capacity-2022/