Haryana approves comprehensive Solar Power policy

The Haryana government today approved a comprehensive Haryana Solar Power Policy 2014.
The Policy will come into operation from the date of its notification and would remain in force up to March 31, 2017, said Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who chaired the meeting of his Cabinet where this decision was taken.
The policy aims at achieving Megawatt (MW) scale Grid connected solar power project, rooftop grid interactive SPV system, small capacity of grid solar power projects and devices, promotion of solar thermal collectors, introduction of training programme on solar energy power plant/devices in ITI and diploma courses, among other things.

It also aims at development of model villages in the field of solar energy, promotion of research and development in the field of solar energy in engineering colleges and generation of funds for implementation of Haryana Solar Energy Policy.
The Policy will have provision to install metering equipments, have power evacuation facility and incentives would be given by the state government, according to an official release.
"As the state is endowed with high solar radiation levels with about 320 days of clear sun in a year, harnessing untapped and inexhaustible solar energy potential would not only usher-in required energy mix but would also significantly reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and other toxic gases," Hooda told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

The required solar power generation capacity by 2022 is required to be increased to 1,300 MW as against present installed capacity of only about 8 MW.

The state government will give incentives to set up solar energy power projects which would be permitted by Town and Country Planning Department.
The state government will create a separate 'Green Energy Fund' under the control of Board of Governors of HAREDA and Director General, Renewable Energy Department and HAREDA for accelerated development of solar power projects in the state.
The funds shall be generated by levying and collecting Solar cess on all categories of consumers of DISCOMs except agriculture consumers.

The solar cess of up to two paise per unit shall be levied along with Electricity Duty in the consumer monthly bill.
Under the Policy, the State will develop SPV Solar Power Plants of one MW-10 MW capacity to the extent of fulfilment of Solar Renewable Purchase Obligation.
All efforts shall be made to ensure that the entire requirement of solar power required to be purchased by the Power Distribution Licensee (DISCOM) under is purchased from developers situated within the state.
By March 2017, HAREDA shall promote and get installed 100 MW Scale Grid connected Solar Power Project in two phases.

In each phase, 50 MW capacities shall be selected through reverse bidding on the basis of maximum discount offered on the levellised tariff fixed by Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) for SPV solar power plants.