The Government of India has launched a significant initiative called the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which was approved on 29th February 2024. This scheme aims to install rooftop solar plants in one crore (10 million) households, with a total budget of ₹75,021 crore. The administrative approval for this scheme was granted on 16th March 2024.
Under this scheme, rooftop solar systems will be installed in residential households to help them generate their electricity. The project is set to run until the financial year 2026-27 and will be managed by the National Programme Implementation Agency (NPIA) at the national level, and by State Implementation Agencies (SIAs) at the state level.
Residential consumers, including those from Residential Welfare Associations and Group Housing Societies, can apply through a national portal. They will then select a registered Vendor from the portal to install the solar system. After installation and inspection, they can avail themselves of a subsidy. To qualify for Central Financial Assistance (CFA), installations must be performed by Vendors who are registered on this national portal.
To help consumers make better decisions, a Vendor Rating Programme (VRP) has been introduced. This program will provide a standardized system to evaluate Vendors on their reliability and performance. The VRP will be integrated into the national portal, helping consumers choose based on the Vendor ratings.
The Vendor Rating Program (VRP) will employ various evaluation processes, including consumer feedback, quality assessment, and techno-financial assessment, with its costs covered under the Capacity Building Component of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. The VRP aims to establish a procedure for rating rooftop solar vendors based on their quality and service, allowing comparisons among different vendors for consumers, developers, and investors. This initiative encourages vendors to elevate their standards and performance, ensuring greater accountability.
Vendors can register at either the state level with State Implementation Agencies (SIAs) or the national level with the National Portal for Installation Assessment (NPIA). Registered vendors will be categorized by the number of eligible installations they have completed, with a minimum requirement of 50 installations to receive a rating.
The rating system features three tiers: Tier I for vendors with over 1,500 installations, evaluated on consumer feedback, quality assessment, and techno-financial assessment; Tier II for vendors with between 250 and 1,500 installations, evaluated similarly to Tier I; and Tier III for vendors with 50 to 250 installations, mainly evaluated on consumer feedback. High-performing vendors will be designated as Champion Vendors, playing a significant role in the ecosystem by offering dedicated services and leading large-scale campaigns.
The rating process involves collecting consumer feedback through the National Portal and Call Centre, assessing the quality of installations through physical checks to ensure compliance with engineering standards, and conducting a techno-financial assessment to review vendors’ technical and financial details, including installed capacity, manpower competency, sales turnover, and financial ratios.
The cumulative Vendor ratings will be displayed on the National Portal, enhancing transparency and aiding consumers in their decision-making.
The NPIA will oversee the implementation of the VRP, setting up the necessary infrastructure and assessment methods. Approved System Assessors (ASAs) will be hired to conduct quality checks, and they will receive comprehensive training to perform their tasks effectively.
The VRP is designed to ensure that Vendors follow best practices, leading to better performance and reliability in rooftop solar installations. This initiative not only helps consumers but also supports a sustainable energy future by increasing the use of solar energy in residential areas.
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