Chandigarh, March 27:- Various departments and agencies are working rapidly in Haryana to promote solar energy, uplift the agricultural sector, benefit the residential and industrial (commercial) sector. These include DNRE), Hareda, Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam.
Giving information in this regard, a spokesperson of Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam said that Haryana is among the leading states of the country in the field of solar energy, while in terms of installation of solar pumps, it has become the second state in the country after Maharashtra. However, a target has been set in Haryana to install rooftop solar plants on 2.2 lakh houses by 2026-27. So far, 61,875 rooftop solar plants have been installed in the state under the PM-Surya Ghar Yojana.
The spokesperson said that farmers, common people and industrialists in the state are all saving huge electricity bills through solar energy, selling excess electricity units to the grid and getting economic benefits from various schemes of the Central and State Governments.
The spokesperson of Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam said that along with the PM-Surya Ghar Yojana of the Center, the State Government of Haryana is also providing additional subsidy to the needy families and special categories. Apart from this, the State Government has also brought 'Solar Urja Protsahan Yojana', under which residential consumers have been mainly divided into three categories. As a result, up to 90 percent reduction in electricity bill and free electricity for 25 years is available.
He said that under the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Yojana, the Central Government is providing a maximum benefit of up to Rs 78 thousand. Up to one kilowatt, Rs 30,000 per kilowatt, up to 2 kilowatt, Rs 60,000 (in which the total subsidy is 30,000 per kilowatt), while a maximum subsidy of Rs 78,000 is fixed for 3 kilowatt or more.
The spokesperson said that under the additional subsidy of the Haryana State Government, the benefit of additional amount is being given to the marginalized families and special categories. In addition to the subsidy from the Centre, the marginalized families whose annual income is less than Rs 1.80 lakh are given additional assistance of Rs 25,000 per kilowatt or 40 percent of the total cost (whichever is less) by the State Government up to 2 kilowatt.
Families whose annual income is between Rs 1.80 lakh and Rs 3 lakh are given additional assistance of Rs 10,000 per kilowatt or 40 percent of the total cost (whichever is less), up to 2 kilowatt. As a result, the total subsidy from the Centre and the State combined can be up to Rs 1.10 lakh.
Solar Energy Incentive Scheme for Employees too
Category one includes those non-defaulter consumers who have paid all their electricity bills on time or before the due date from 01 April 2022 to 31 March 2025. Category two includes those employees of the Corporation, Board, Corporation, State Government, including HKRN employees whose job is secure and who do not have any electricity bills pending. For this category, it is mandatory to enter the consumer account number along with HRMS, HKRN ID.
The spokesperson said that for categories one and two, interest-free financial assistance of Rs 19,500 per kW and a maximum assistance amount of Rs 97,500 will be given only up to a capacity of 5 kW. The subsidy amount will be recovered through electricity bills in 24 monthly or 12 bi-monthly installments without any interest.
Financial assistance for non-defaulting Anthondaya consumers
In addition to other financial assistance, the already ongoing state financial assistance for Anthondaya households has been made more simple and attractive. Anthondaya consumers with an annual income of up to Rs. 1.80 lakh, who have no pending electricity bills and their annual consumption is less than 2400 units, are eligible for state financial assistance of Rs. 25,000 or 40 per cent of the actual cost (whichever is less) for installing a rooftop solar plant of capacity up to 2 kW.
The spokesperson said that non-defaulter Antondaya consumers, whose annual income is between Rs 1.80 lakh and Rs 3 lakh, who are eligible for state financial assistance, can avail state financial assistance of up to Rs 10,000 per kW for installing rooftop solar plants up to 2 kW capacity. The additional financial assistance will be Rs 9,500 per kW, limited to rooftop solar plants of maximum 2 kW capacity. This will be recovered through electricity bills in 24 monthly or 12 bi-monthly installments without any interest.