Delhi’s Solar Revolution: Unveiling Ambitious 2024 Policy with a Goal of 4,500 MW by 2027

In a groundbreaking move for India’s capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has launched the ‘Delhi Solar Policy 2024,’ presenting a major stride towards a cleaner energy future. Geared towards curbing air pollution and easing the economic burden, the policy promises substantial benefits for consumers embracing rooftop solar panels.

Residential consumers are poised to be the primary beneficiaries, with the installation of rooftop solar panels guaranteeing them zero-cost electricity bills. CM Kejriwal announced an added incentive in the form of Generation-based Incentives (GBI), potentially amounting to INR 700-900 per month for those using up to 200 units monthly. Commercial and industrial consumers, upon adopting rooftop solar panels, will witness a noteworthy 50 percent reduction in their electricity bills.

The policy introduces several incentives, including a capital subsidy of INR 2,000 per kW for residential consumers, capped at INR 10,000 per consumer. The government’s GBI scheme offers an additional monthly income for solar panel adopters.

For residential consumers, a monthly generation-based incentive ranging from INR 3/unit (up to 3kW plant) to INR 1/unit (for commercial users) is proposed for a period of 5 years.

Delhi’s current solar power capacity stands at 1,500 MW, inclusive of 250 MW from rooftop plants. The ambitious target is to elevate this capacity to 4,500 MW by March 2027, constituting around 20 percent of the city’s total electricity consumption from solar power.

Under the new policy, government buildings with an area of 500 sqm are mandated to install rooftop solar panels within the next three years. Notably, a pioneering community solar model has been introduced to accommodate consumers facing financial or rooftop space constraints.

The Delhi government has allocated INR 570 crore for the comprehensive implementation of the policy, underscoring its commitment to a sustainable and green future. Chief Minister Kejriwal emphasized that the policy aims not only to reduce air pollution but also to make electricity bills zero for non-subsidized residential consumers and slash bills by 50 percent for commercial/industrial consumers. The capital subsidy, GBI, and community solar initiatives reflect the multi-pronged approach adopted by Delhi towards fostering solar energy adoption.