India government has given its approval for implementation of phase-Ill of off-grid and decentralised solar PV application program to achieve additional 118 MWp (Mega Watt peak) off-grid solar PV capacity by 2020.
India will install 3,00,000 solar street lights throughout the country with special emphasis on areas where there is no facility for street lighting systems through grid power, North Eastern States and Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts.
India will promote solar power plants of individual size up to 25 kWp (kilo Watt peak) in areas where grid power has not reached or is not reliable. This component is mainly aimed at providing electricity to schools, hostels, panchayats, police stations and other public service institutions. The aggregated capacity of solar power plants would be 100 MWp.
India will provide 25,00,000 solar study lamps in North Eastern States and LWE affected districts.
India will provide financial support of up to 30 percent of the benchmark cost of the system for solar street lights and solar power plants.
India will provide financial support of up to 90 percent of the benchmark cost of the system for solar street lights and solar power plants in NE States, Hill States and Island UTs.
For solar study lamps only 15 percent of the lamp cost to be borne by beneficiary student and balance will be provided as financial support as such systems will be provided to school going children in backward and remote areas.
The project of the three components included under the phase-Ill is Rs 1895 crore of which Rs 637 crore will be provided as central financial assistance.