Drafting Delhi's New Solar Policy
After the expiration of the Delhi Solar Policy 2016, it was announced in Rozgar Budget 2022-23 that Delhi Government will come up with a new Solar Policy that will position Delhi as a national and global leader in rooftop solar generation. The policy has been envisaged with the objective of increasing the installed capacity of rooftop solar plants so that they can fulfil 10% of Delhi’s annual energy demand. The plan will also contribute to the creation of 40,000 new green jobs in this sector.
To ensure that Delhi becomes the leading state in terms of Rooftop Solar (RTS) adoption, DDC Delhi partnered with RMI India on 5th May 2022 in order to tap into the global best practices through experience and knowledge sharing, multiple stakeholder convenings, technical knowledge sharing, and research.
DDC Delhi, in collaboration with RMI India, co-hosted the ‘National Consultation on Delhi Solar Policy’ on 12th May 2022 to frame Delhi’s new solar policy. The consultation was attended by a host of stakeholders like government agencies, power DISCOMs, solar developers like SunEdison and Fourth Partner Energy, think tanks, consumer associations, financiers, RWAs like URJA, shopping malls like Sun City and Pacific, representatives from public and private schools and colleges etc. National and international case studies in solar rooftop adoption were presented by organisations like RMI India, Ikelay, CEEW, Ernst & Young etc.
After the inaugural session, the attendees were divided into three stakeholder groups: residential, commercial & industrial and institutional stakeholders. The initial discussions focused on identifying the key challenges and barriers that impede solar deployment in Delhi, followed by deliberations upon potential solutions like RTS installation mandates, streamlining of net metering processes, BTM storage, improving access to finance, fiscal incentives, promoting innovative business models, supporting the growth of virtual net metering (VNM) and Group net metering (GNM), etc. The stakeholders also outlined necessary implementation actions and milestones for solarising Delhi.
