FAQs on Grid Connected Solar Rooftop System:
1. What is Grid Connected Solar Rooftop System?
Ans: Unused open space on the roof (shadow free) can be utilised to install solar panel for generation of DC electric energy. This DC energy is converted into AC energy using inverter and the AC power output is connected/integrated to the grid (distribution power lines). This system is called Grid connected solar rooftop system. The programme encourages installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic power generation plant for self-consumption as well as sale of electricity generated from the solar to the grid.
2. What are the facilities/incentives provided by Govt. of India (MNRE) and State Government?
Ans: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) Govt. of India is providing Central Financial Assistance (CFA) upto 70% of BENCHMARK COST for all types of residential buildings for North Eastern States. Similar CFA is also available for schools, health institutions including medical colleges & hospitals, universities, educational institutions and other Social Sectors such as welfare homes, NGOs, training institutes, orphanages etc. that come under non-profit making body.
No CFA is applicable for Government/PSU buildings, Government Institutions, Private /Commercial/Industrial buildings.
The BENCHMARK COST has been categorically revised w.e.f 15.06.2018 as detailed below:
| Type | Category | Benchmark Cost ( Rs. per kW) | 70% subsidy amount (per kW) |
| Grid connected Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic System | 1 kWp to 10 kWp | 60,000 | 42,000 |
| > 10 kWp to 100 kWp | 55,000 | 38,500 | |
| > 100 kWp to 500 kWp | 53,000 | 37,100 |
In addition to the available central financial assistance from MNRE, State government has considered providing of viability gap funding in the form of state capital subsidy at Rs. 10,000/- per kW limited to maximum of 2 (two) kW or Rs. 20,000/- per promoter/consumer.
However, the actual cost of installation per KW may vary depending upon the following parameters:
(a) Capacity of solar plant. Cost of installation depends on capacity of the proposed plant. The cost per kW decreases along with increase in capacity.
(b) Physical Condition of the proposed site. Type of roof such as flat or inclined and height of building will determine the quantity of hardware components to be used and accordingly the cost of the plant.
(c) Solar equipment used. The quality and price of the equipment such as inverters, solar panels, switching devices etc. may vary from one brand to another. However the quality of equipment must not deviate from the minimum quality requirement prescribed by MNRE, GOI.
(d) Payment terms. Cost of the plant may also vary on the basis of payment terms between the promoter and the executing firm.
3. What are the benefits of Grid connected solar rooftop system?
Ans: Benefits of Grid connected solar rooftop system to the beneficiary consumers:
a) Revenue earn by selling power to the distribution licensee (MSPDCL)
b) Reduce expenditure on purchase of power from distribution licensee (MSPDCL)
4. How solar rooftop system can be connected to the grid (distribution power lines)?
Ans: The connection of rooftop system to the grid can be carried out through two mechanisms, viz. Net Metering and Gross Metering.
Net metering: In Net metering, the power output from solar panel supplies electric energy to consumer premises and the surplus energy, if any, is fed to the grid. In times of deficit of electricity from solar generation, electric energy will be drawn from the grid.
Gross Metering: In case of Gross metering, all the electric energy generated from solar panel is fed to the grid while energy requirement of the consumer is drawn from the grid lines.
The type of metering to be incorporated with the Solar Rooftop system will be left to the consumer’s discretion.
5. Who are eligible to apply?
Ans: For Individuals:
a) Should be a bona-fide consumer of MSPDCL
b) Should have a valid Aadhar card
c) Should have internet banking enabled Bank Account
For institution and social sectors:
a) Should be a bona-fide consumer of MSPDCL
b) Societies registration certificate (if any)
6. How to apply?
Ans: Log on to http://manireda.com/ and click on “CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE FOR RTS (ROOFTOP SOLAR).
Documents required for submission of online application (scanned copies) are as follows:
a) Aadhar Card / Registration certificate (in case of social sectors or institution)
a) Latest passport photo / photograph of the site (in case of social sectors or institution)
b) Bank Passbook showing Account Number, Account Holder Name, Bank Name and Branch, IFSC code and MICR code details (The account should be active and internet enabled.)
c) Electricity Bill obtained from authorised MSPDCL counter showing Meter Number, Consumer Number, Connection Number, Sanctioned load and Tariff Category details.
7. What are the procedures for installation of Solar Rooftop System?
Ans: The procedure are as follows:
a) Once online application data is verified, consumers will be contacted over the phone by MANIREDA for site visit time scheduling.
b) Information of those sites which are found feasible by MANIREDA field-visit team will be forwarded to MSPDCL for further verification.
c) Meantime, download the list of empanelled firms to install Rooftop System which is available in Solar Rooftop-Grid connected link. The list contains their contact numbers, email ids and rate quotations for different KW ranges.
d) Consumers should contact the firm of their choice. The price of installation can be negotiated base on the level of understanding between the firm and the consumer.
e) Those consumers, whose proposed sites are given clearance by MSPDCL, will be required to enter into a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the MSPDCL and MANIREDA.
f) Once the power purchase agreement is confirmed, Rooftop solar system will be installed at the proposed site by the firm of one’s choice.
g) Either consumer or firm should inform MANIREDA upon completion of Rooftop installation.
h) MANIREDA will verify installed equipment and other details.
i) Information of those sites where Rooftop solar system are successfully installed will be uploaded to Ministry of Renewable Energy (MNRE) website for their approval.
j) Applicable CFA (subsidy) shall be released through online to the bank account of approved/accepted consumers subject to release of fund by MNRE.
7. What is the rate for purchase of solar power by MSPDCL?
Ans: The finalized tariff for both Net Meter and Gross meter approved by Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (Manipur & Mizoram), Aizawl, for entities availing subsidy and not availing subsidy is given below:
| Sl. No. | Category | Unit | 1-8 kW | Above 8-50 kW | Above 50 -150 kW | Above
150-500 kW |
Above
500 kW to 1 MW |
| 1 | Without Subsidy | Rs./kWh | 9.39 | 9.11 | 8.77 | 8.53 | 8.15 |
| 2 | With 70% Subsidy | Rs./kWh | 3.73 | 3.65 | 3.55 | 3.48 | 3.36 |
| 3 | With 30% Subsidy | Rs./kWh | 7.66 | 7.44 | 7.17 | 6.99 | 6.68 |
8. Will Roof-top system work in the event of grid power failure?
Ans: In the event of grid power failure the Roof-top system will automatically shut down and stop feeding power to the grid so as to prevent any person/technician from getting shock (electrocuted) while working on the grid for maintenance.
Note: Kindly refer to Solar Rooftop policies available at http://manireda.com/ before applying online.
For further details please contact:
Manipur Renewable Energy Development Agency (MANIREDA) 2nd Foor, South Block, Secured Office Complex, Near 2nd M.R. Gate, Imphal-Dimapur Road, Imphal-795001 Mobile No. 7005347295 (During Office Hour)