New Delhi: With Delhi govt launching the revised solar energy policy earlier this year, there was a surge in the number of rooftop solar connection installations in the national capital. Nearly 10,700 rooftop solar power plants of varied capacities have already been installed in different categories of buildings, and around 2,500 connections are expected to be added by the end of the 2024-25 financial year.
Delhi's current solar power generation is over 1,500MW, which includes 270MW from rooftop solar installations and nearly 1,250MW from larger utility-scale solar power systems. Govt aims to increase this to 4,500MW in three years under the new solar energy policy 2023, which aims to significantly boost solar power generation to meet renewable purchase obligation targets.
According to the data accessed by TOI, the two subsidiaries of BSES, BSES Yamuna and BSES Rajdhani, have together facilitated more than 7,100 such plants in their distribution areas, with a capacity to produce 180MW of renewable energy. Tata Power-Delhi Distribution Limited, which caters to north and some parts of northwest Delhi, has a little less than 3,600 solar panels with a total capacity of 83MW.
According to a BSES official, the rooftop solar panel installation helps customers reduce their electricity bills significantly and they can even sell the surplus energy back to the discoms. The initial cost of installation is recovered within four years. Every kilowatt of rooftop solar generates about 100-120 units of electricity every month. A 10kW rooftop solar consumer can save around Rs 82,000 annually.
"As part of our comprehensive ‘green push' strategy, BSES discoms are not only purchasing renewable energy and installing electric vehicle charging stations, but also actively promoting rooftop solar installations across south, west, east and central Delhi," said a discom official. "BSES has energised over 7,100 rooftop solar systems, contributing nearly 180MWp of solar power to the grid. This is also helping to alleviate Delhi's pollution," he added.
"In FY 2024-25, BSES aims to add over 1,500 installations, generating an additional 30MW of solar capacity. By empowering communities and transforming Delhi's skyline, BSES is making a lasting impact—one roof at a time. The response to rooftop solar net metering in the BSES areas has been overwhelmingly positive," he said.
According to Tata Power officials, nearly 3,600 net metering connections were installed in its jurisdictional areas while 1,100 more are likely to be added in the current fiscal year.
With Delhi govt announcing generation-based incentives as well as capital subsidies, and central govt also offering financial assistance, officials said rooftop solar had also gained significant traction among cooperative group housing societies.
Officials mentioned that the power department of Delhi govt and the discoms had started conducting outreach programmes to disseminate information about the policy's benefits to the public.