Demonstration and Utilisation Programme

4.32 The Ministry is implementing a country-wide programme for the demonstration and utilisation of solar photovoltaic systems for various applications. The most common systems being deployed under this programme till 2001-02 were portable solar lanterns, fixed - type solar home systems, street lighting systems and stand - alone, small capacity, village level power plants. These systems have been found to be very useful in rural and remote locations having no access to reliable grid electricity and unelectrified villages and hamlets. The Ministry reviewed the programme based on the experience of the Ninth Plan and introduced certain changes in the programme for the Tenth Plan. The changes introduced during 2002-03 are (i) capital subsidy on solar lanterns was removed (ii) a new single-light point solar home system was introduced (iii) subsidy on the solar home systems was revised (iv) new programme components on solar generators and building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) systems were introduced, and (v) a new interest subsidy scheme for users of SPV systems, including solar lanterns, was introduced through IREDA and banks.

4.33 There are two levels of subsidy for installation of SPV systems and power plants under the programme. One level i.e. 50 % of the ex-works costs subject to certain upper limits is for installations in the general areas of the country. The other level i.e. 90 % of the ex-works costs subject to certain upper limits is for installations in the North-Eastern region, including Sikkim. The pattern of central financial assistance (CFA) and the eligible categories of beneficiaries under the 2002-2003 SPV programme is given in Table - 4.3.

4.34 The 2002-03 programme was implemented in the tendering and / or market mode, through the State renewable energy development agencies and selected NGOs. Installation of solar home systems, street lighting systems and stand-alone SPV power plants was supported under this programme. Sale of SPV systems through the recognised solar shops i.e. `Aditya' showrooms, was also covered under the programme.

4.35 Supply and installation of solar photovoltaic systems under the programme mandatorily needed test certificates from the Solar Energy Centre / Other Authorised Test Centres (OATCs). The test centres authorised for testing SPV systems are the MNES Solar Energy Centre (SEC), Gwalpahari, Gurgaon, Harayana, the Electronics Regional Test Laboratory (ERTL) East, Kolkata and the Central Power Research Institute (CPRI), Trivandarum. In addition, the Electronics Testing & Development Centre, Bangalore is also authorised to test and certify the PV modules. For supply of systems under the 2002-03 SPV programme, the test reports of the samples issued during 2001-02 or 2002-03 were considered valid. Many new manufacturers / suppliers of the SPV systems tested their samples at these centres for testing and certification and were qualified.

4.36 SPV systems supplied under the programme mandatorily carry a warranty for two years for full systems and ten years for the PV modules. Implementing agencies are advised to provide for Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMCs) from manufacturers for a period of three years after the two years mandatory warranty period, so as to ensure satisfactory operation of the systems on a sustainable basis.

Solar Street Lighting System installed at Moreh town, Manipur

4.37 NGOs like the All India Women's Conference (AIWC), New Delhi, the Ladakh Ecological Development Group (LEDeG), Leh, the Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (RCSS), Kochi, the Ramakrishna Mission (RKM) Ashrama, Narendrapur, West Bengal, the Social Work and Research Centre (SWRC), Tilonia, Rajasthan and the World Renewal Spiritual Trust (Brahmakumaris), Mount Abu, Rajasthan continued to be involved in implementation of the SPV Programme. Some other NGOs are also likely to be associated with this programme.

4.38 Under the 2002-03 Programme, separate targets were fixed for installation of SPV systems in the general areas of the country and in the north-eastern region, including Sikkim. The targets for the general areas were 45,000 solar home systems, 1,000 solar generators, 450 kWp aggregate capacity of SPV power plants, street lighting systems, building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) and other systems.