The Rajasthan State Government has decided to review the existing Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy, 2014. Accordingly, the draft Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy 2019 has been released by RRECL on 22.08.2019 and up for any comments or suggestions by stake-holders till up to 20.09.2019 11:59 PM.
Draft Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy 2019 – Vision:
- To meet the global commitment and to achieve the national target of 100 GW capacity of solar energy.
- Harness maximum potential of solar energy through State, Private Enterprises, Public-Private Partnerships and through individual efforts.
- To achieve new heights in solar power generation, which can change scenario of the State.
- To evolve new technologies in solar energy generation and its application through participation of Farmers, Industries and Public.
- Aims for the participation of farmers in solar energy sector to make them self-sustained and also to increase their income by sale of solar power to Discoms.
Draft Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy 2019 – Important Definitions:
- “Average Annual Demand (MW)” means “Previous financial year consumption (kWh)/1000×8760”.
- “Mega Solar Power Project” means Solar Power Projects of capacity 500 MW or more established by a single developer at single location with single or multiple metering arrangements but having common pooling Sub-station.
- “Pooled Cost of Power Purchase” means the weighted average price at which the distribution licensee has purchased the electricity including the cost of self-generation, if any, in the previous year from all the energy suppliers excluding short-term power purchases and those based on renewable energy.
- Project Capacity shall mean the maximum AC capacity at the delivery point.
Draft Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy 2019 – Objective
- To establish Rajasthan as a National leader in solar energy.
- Developing a global hub of solar power of 50GW Capacity in next 5-6 years.
- Long term energy security as well as ecological security of Rajasthan.
- Long term sustainable solution for meeting energy needs.
- Productive use of abundant wasteland.
- Creating favourable conditions to solar energy manufacturing capabilities.
- Generating direct and indirect employment opportunities.
- Creation of skilled and semi-skilled manpower resources.
- Creating an R&D hub for RE based technologies.
Draft Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy 2019 – Overall Target
- The Policy aims to achieve a target of 25 GW in Rajasthan, out of the national target of 100 GW capacity up to 2021-22 as under:-
- To fulfil Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) of State DISCOMS.
- To develop Solar Power Projects for sale to parties other than DISCOMS of Rajasthan within/outside the State and for captive consumption within the state.
- To promote the Solar Energy as under:
- Promotion of small Decentralized Grid Connected Solar Power Projects at load centers.
- Promotion of Rooftop Solar Projects through Net Metering mechanism or in any other manner as per the provisions of Electricity Act, 2003 and relevant Regulations/Orders issued by RERC/CERC.
- Promotion of Decentralized and off-grid Solar Application.
- Promotion of Solar Energy Projects with Storage Systems.
- Promotion of Charging Stations by Solar Energy.
- Development of Solar Parks.
- Strengthening of Transmission and Distribution Network for Renewable Energy.
- Promotion of manufacturing industries of solar energy equipments.
Grid Interactive Solar Power Projects:
- The State will consider setting up of Solar Power Plants under the guidelines/Schemes of MNRE on case to case basis.
- The State will promote setting up of solar power projects for sale of power to Discoms of Rajasthan on the tariff discovered through competitive bidding process to fulfill Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) target fixed by RERC.
The State (RREC) will not entertain new application for Registration of Solar Power Projects under REC Scheme for sale of power to Discoms at APPC Rate.
Utility Grid Power Projects
- The State will promote setting up of Solar Power Plants for Captive Use/3rd party sale for consumers within the State. The maximum permissible capacity of individual plant will be limited to “Average Annual Demand (MW)”.
- The State will promote to set up Solar Power Projects for 3rd party sale outside the State.
Decentralized Grid Connected Solar Power Projects:
- The State will promote setting up of solar power projects with a minimum capacity of 0.5 MW and maximum capacity of 3 MW in the vicinity of existing 33 kV Grid sub-stations for sale of power to DISCOMS.
- The State will also promote solarization of existing grid connected agriculture pumps.
Grid Connected Rooftop PV Solar Power Plants
- State will promote setting up of Grid connected Rooftop PV Solar Power Plants under Net metering scheme.
- Rooftop Solar Power Plants will be set up on Government Building on RESCO Model.
- DISCOMS will develop a suitable and comprehensive consumer friendly IT application for facilitating online timely Approvals and Monitoring of these Projects.
Decentralized and Off-Grid Solar Applications:
- State will promote and incentivize decentralized and off-grid solar applications, including hybrid system.
- State will promote setting up of solar power plant for sale of power to individuals through its own distribution system.
- State will also promote setting up of local solar grid and stand-alone solar systems to provide electricity to remote Villages / Dhanis.
- State will promote the use of SPV technology as power source for irrigation uses by installation of SPV Pumping Systems.
Solar Energy Projects with Storage Systems:
- State shall promote Solar Power Projects with storage systems to reduce the variability of output of Solar Power into the grid and to ensure availability of firm power for a particular period.
- Total capacity of this type of projects will be 5% of RPO target in MW including Wind/Wind-Solar Hybrid with Storage.
- State will promote Solar Power Projects with storage systems for captive use/Third Party Sale.
Solar based Electric Vehicle Charging Station:
- State will promote setting up of Solar based Electric Vehicle Charging stations as per Guidelines of MoP/MNRE/State Government/RERC.
Development of Solar Parks in Rajasthan:
- Three Mechanisms outlined:
- Solar Parks by RREC
- Solar Parks by Private Sector Developers
- Solar Parks through Joint Venture Companies (JVCs)
Exemption/Relaxation from Electricity Duty
The exemption/relaxation in the Electricity duty for the Solar Power Producer for Captive use under certain clauses and will be governed as per the Orders of GoR issued from time to time.
Rajasthan Renewable Energy Development Fund:
- For Sale of Power (though PPA) to parties other than DISCOMs of Rajasthan Solar Power Producer shall contribute towards Rajasthan Renewable Energy Development Fund, a sum of Rs 2.5 lac per MW every year.
- For sale of power to 3rd party outside the State, a sum of Rs. 5 lac per MW every year.
Local Area Development Fund:
- Solar Power Producer shall contribute towards Local Area Development Fund, a sum of Rs 25000 per MW one time.
- A committee under Chairmanship of District Collector concerned will be formed to decide the development activities and modalities to utilize this fund.
Open Access for Third Party Sale:
- Open access will be granted to Solar Power Producer or beneficiary.
- They shall have to pay the applicable charges for open access and losses as approved by RERC/ CERC from time to time.
Manufacturing of Solar Energy Equipments:
The Government intends to promote manufacturing facilities for solar energy equipments in Rajasthan that can develop the Solar Eco system and support job creation potential in the State with following benefits:
- Priority allotment of land into RIICO Industrial area and Solar Parks.
- Exemption/relaxation in electricity duty/Stamp duty as per orders of State Govt.
- The manufacturers registered under MSME category will be supported by the State Govt. and they will also be eligible for exemption/relaxation granted under RIPS by Department of Industry, GoR.
Reference:
- Draft Rajasthan Solar Policy 2019: Download PDF