MNRE Expands Vendor Access For Rooftop Solar Installation In Union Territories Under PM Surya Ghar Scheme

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a directive allowing vendors from neighboring states to work in union territories (UTs) for the installation of rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. This decision follows the Ministry’s order dated 17th May 2023, which outlined the registration and empanelment process for vendors installing rooftop solar systems in the residential sector under this scheme.

The Ministry observed that there is a limited number of vendors available in UTs to install rooftop solar plants. To address this shortage and ensure the faster implementation of the scheme, the MNRE has decided that vendors registered or empanelled in adjacent states can also carry out the installation of rooftop solar systems in UTs. Importantly, these vendors are not required to provide an additional bank guarantee for working in the UTs.

Complaints against such vendors will be handled by the National Programme Implementing Agency (NPIA). The NPIA will instruct the invocation of the bank guarantee collected by the concerned state or Discom if necessary.

Additionally, the Ministry reiterated that vendors registered with one Discom in a state are also permitted to work with other Discoms within the same state without the need for an additional bank guarantee. This provision is in line with the Ministry’s earlier order dated 17th May 2023. States have the option to appoint a nodal Discom or another agency to oversee the registration of vendors across the entire state.

This directive has been issued with the approval of the competent authority to facilitate the effective implementation of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana across India’s union territories and states.