Karnataka Cabinet has cleared the revised solar energy policy that allows farmers to set up small solar power plants with capacity from 1 to 3 MW in their farm, PTI said.
Under this program, farmers can also sell surplus electricity to ESCOMs at the tariff fixed by Karnataka Energy Regulatory Commission (KERC) from time to time, said Karnataka State Energy Minister D K Shivakumar.
The state government will also support farmers by facilitating loans through various financial institutions. There will be provisions to offer farm land on rent, which is fixed by the government, Shivakumar said.
Projects that have more than 3MW capacity will be selected based on competitive bidding process. “The government will facilitate purchase of energy generated under this category through ESCOMs,” Minister said.
In addition to these, the revised solar policy also proposes grid connected solar rooftop projects on public buildings, domestic, commercial and industrial establishments through net metering, Shivakumar said. Government also plans to set up solar parks across the state, he added.
Karnataka Renewable Energy Policy 2009-14 has set a goal of commissioning 4200 MW additional capacity with accumulative Renewable Energy capacity addition of 6600MW by 2014.
As of September 2013, the policy has set Green Energy Cess of Rs 0.05 per unit on the electricity supplied to commercial and industrial consumers. It is estimated to generate about Rs 55 crores annually. Out of which Rs 50 Crores will be set apart for Renewable Energy project financing.