India’s single national digital portal to boost rooftop solar

This simplifies the process of installation.

The launch of the single national digital portal is expected to boost the rooftop solar industry in India, a report found.

The portal will simplify the process of installing residential rooftop solar and formalise a direct benefit transfer mechanism, the Institute for Energy Economics and Analysis (IEEFA) and JMK Research reported. 

“The new Central Financial Assistance (CFA) scheme will allow residential consumers to buy rooftop solar systems from any registered supplier of their choice. This broadens consumers’ options for quality products and services,” Prabhakar Sharma, Senior Research Associate, JMK Research, said.

Read more: Residential roof solar in India to rise by 60% in 2023

Sharma, however, pointed out some possible hurdles that could hold back developments in the industry. 

He raised that the government should resolve delays in net metering approvals and proper communication of the benefits of rooftop solar installations. “Concerning the residential solar regulations, all DISCOMs must grant net metering approvals to the consumers within a strict and short timeline,” Akhil Thayillam, Senior Research Associate, JMK Research, said.

“In the case of residential rooftop solar systems, DISCOMs, in general, need to be restricted to carrying out two activities: inspecting solar plants and selling the net meters.”