Kerala emerges 3rd in PM Suryagarh project; Better results in less time

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala has benefited from the Prime Minister Suryagarh programme implemented by the Central Government for setting up rooftop solar power plants in states. Kerala ranked third in the country in providing subsidies for solar power plants. And Gujarat and Maharashtra are in the first two positions. 

KSEB is the implementing agency of the project in the state. The subsidy is paid directly to the customer's account by the Ministry of Finance. The programme was announced on February 14 this year. As of July 6, Kerala has provided Rs 27.07 crores as subsidy. Gujarat contributed Rs 146.99 crore and Maharashtra, Rs 28.68 crore. Kerala's success is that despite being a small state, great progress could be achieved.

The subsidy will be received only after the KSEB includes the rooftop solar plant in the portal designed for the same after its inspection. The subsidy will be directly sent to the accounts of the consumers by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. 

Stations producing power upto 1 kilowatt will get a subsidy of Rs 30,000 2 kilowatt - Rs 60,000 and 3 kilowatt, Rs 78,000 respectively. Above that limit of power production, no subsidy is granted. Plants with upto 20 kilowatt power production can be installed.

In Kerala, 2.17 lakh people have registered under the scheme. Out of this, 55,999 people have applied. As many as 16,782 plants with an efficiency of 52 MW have been installed.  

Kerala has selected 730 companies to set up rooftop plants in the state.