H.P. and M.P. - Policy to Harness Renewable Energy

Himachal Pradesh government has decided to come out with new power policy to harness solar energy. According to Chief minister Virbhadra Singh, the state government was endeavouring to preserve the depleting conventional resources to meet the increasing demand of power.

He said state government soon would come out with a new Power Policy with a view to harness the solar energy. Besides, possibilities of more hydro power and other non-conventional power resources were also being explored in the state, he added.

Madhya Pradesh govt. is also making efforts for tapping renewable energy on the same way. 800MW wind energy projects will be set up in Madhya Pradesh state by December this year. Similarly, 1800MW capacity wind energy projects will be set up by December 2014.
Madhya Pradesh government has formulated Wind Energy Policy-2012 to ensure prompt implementation of estimated 5500 MW capacity projects through private sector. So far, 324 MW capacity wind energy projects have been set up in the state.

Su-Kam in Solar Energy Business

Su-Kam, a Delhi-based company, is engaged in the business of power inverters, UPS and batteries.

It is on an expansion mode looking at entering new areas like power protection systems. This apart, Su-Kam is also looking at other futuristic areas like Solar Photovoltaic Systems, Wind Energy Systems and Hybrid Systems.

The company has already made a subsidiary unit, Su-Kam Solar Energy Systems Ltd -- and plans to seek approval from its investors Reliance Group and Temasek Holdings for making it operational.
Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group and Temasek Holdings, the investment arm of the Singapore government, have a 19.18 per cent stake in the company.

The company has a strong national presence and is now also expanding internationally. The company has a presence in over 70 countries and has bagged solar power projects in African countries such as Nigeria, Malawi and Gabon.

Su-Kam has plans also to acquire firms and expand its solar power business.

The UPS and inverter manufacturer has planned a capital expenditure of Rs 35 crore during the current fiscal year.

Su-Kam recently bagged a contract for installing solar projects at 35 schools in Rwanda, for which it will also provide onsite training on operations and maintenance. More..

Incentive for Rooftop Solar Projects

Delhi Government also have the plans to give incentives for rooftop solar projects which is really a good initiative for popularizing Green Power. 

If you generate power from a rooftop solar project, the Delhi government will soon incentivize your efforts. A new solar policy upholds "production-based subsidy" which means that the government will pay you for the units of energy you save by using solar power. As of now, there is a "capital subsidy" scheme which involves a rebate of a fixed sum on installation of solar water heaters in Delhi. As per a govt. official, the consumer is paid for the units that he generates in excess. Over and above the feed-in tariff, the Delhi government is planning to give a small subsidy to producers of solar power. It will be a nominal subsidy over what they get by feeding in excess power.

The highlight of the policy will be production-based subsidy where customers will be reimbursed based on the units of energy saved. This will motivate customers to invest in solar rooftop projects and solar water heaters and also to maintain them. Normally people don't maintain the solar water heaters and stop using them after a point. If the subsidy is generation-based and customers are reimbursed every month for it, they will maintain their systems.

Such a policy in which the consumer is paid every month for the energy saved will keep him motivated and engaged in maintaining their solar power generation systems as the payment in the form of Capital Subsidy is not being very much effective.