CM Kejriwal Unveils Delhi Solar Policy 2024, Promises 'Zero Bills' For Rooftop Solar Consumers

The policy also mandates all government buildings with an area of 500 square meters to install rooftop solar panels within the next three years.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal ( Image Source :PTI Images )

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal presented the Delhi Solar Policy 2024 on Monday, announcing that domestic consumers installing rooftop solar panels will receive zero electricity bills, while commercial and industrial consumers will see a 50% reduction in tariffs upon installation. As per the new policy, residential consumers can potentially earn Rs 700-900 per month through the proposed generation-based incentives (GBI). Under the existing power subsidy scheme, residential consumers using up to 200 units per month already receive zero bills, and those using 201-400 units get a 50% subsidy.

दिल्ली वालों के लिए बड़ी ख़ुशख़बरी‼️
अब सभी दिल्लीवासियों का बिजली बिल हो सकता है ZERO❤️

हम Solar Policy 2024 लेकर आये हैं

अभी दिल्ली के लोगों का बिजली का बिल -

0-200 Unit : Zero
200-400 Unit : बिजली बिल आधा
400+ Unit : पूरा बिजली का बिल आता है

इस policy के तहत Solar Panel… pic.twitter.com/7meipTyN7X

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) January 29, 2024

Kejriwal explained that the solar power generated will offset the electricity consumed by the grid. If a person consumes 400 units and generates 225 units from solar power, they will have a zero bill since their consumption falls under the fully subsidized category of 200 units in the national capital.

Taking to social media platform X, the chief minister stated that under the new policy, domestic consumers would have zero electricity bills and earn Rs 700 to 900 per month, while commercial and industrial consumers would experience a 50% reduction in their electricity bills.

आज हमने दिल्ली सोलर पॉलिसी 2024 का ऐलान किया। इसमें कई जनहितकारी प्रावधान हैं

इसकी सबसे बड़ी ख़ासियत है कि इसका इस्तेमाल करने वाले घरेलू उपभोक्ताओं का बिजली बिल जीरो हो जायेगा और 700 से 900 रुपये प्रति माह आमदनी होगी

कमर्शियल और औद्योगिक उपभोक्ताओं के बिजली बिल आधे हो जाएँगे।

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 29, 2024

The policy also mandates all government buildings with an area of 500 square meters to install rooftop solar panels within the next three years. Currently, Delhi has a solar power capacity of around 1,500 MW, including 250 MW from rooftop plants.

Kejriwal aims to increase Delhi's total installed solar capacity to 4,500 MW by March 2027, targeting 20% of electricity consumption from solar power by that year. The government plans to spend Rs 570 crore for the policy's implementation.

Under the new solar policy, residential consumers opting for rooftop solar panels will receive five financial incentives, including a GBI of Rs 3 for small rooftop plants (up to 3 kW) and Rs 2 for larger plants (3 to 10 kW) for five years from installation.

The policy introduces innovative deployment models such as community solar for consumers with fund or rooftop space constraints. Additionally, it introduces a peer-to-peer trading model, allowing owners of solar energy systems to sell excess generated electricity in real time to other consumers in Delhi through a P2P energy trading platform.

Power Minister Atishi highlighted the development of a single-window state portal to serve as a comprehensive resource for information under the Delhi Solar Policy, including benefits of solar plants and empanelled vendors. The policy is set to be notified within 8-10 days.