Gujarat is one of the richest and sixth-largest states in India; now, the state is also gaining massive popularity in the field of renewable energy. Today, Gujarat has installed a solar panel capable of producing clean energy with a capacity of close to 20,000 MW. This article will delve into solar panel systems in Gujarat, their process, installation, energy production, subsidies, and more.
Energy Portfolio of Solar Panel System in Gujarat
Gujarat receives a vast amount of sun rays from its semi-arid region, and the state government is making strides to harness its geographical advantage. Here is the current solar energy portfolio of Gujarat,
- The state has achieved second place on the list of all the top solar-powered states in India.
- The northwestern state has installed a solar capacity of around 7782 MW.
- It is home to approximately 2/3rd of the residential solar energy systems in India.
- The state was able to grow its rooftop solar system segment from 0.085 GW to 1.2 GW through the state scheme, ‘Surya Solar Subsidy Scheme’, introduced in 2019.
- The state is building a renewable energy park with a capacity of 30000 MW, which is a mix of solar and wind energy that can help mitigate nearly 5 million tonnes of carbon emission every year. It is the world’s largest renewable energy park.
Subsidies for Solar Panel Systems in Gujarat
The rooftop solar panel installation in Gujarat comes with subsidies depending on their system size and capacity. The rates are fixed per kilowatt across different system slabs. Here is the list of subsidies for solar panel systems in Gujarat.
| Solar System Size (kW) | Subsidy Applicable (INR) | Price Before Subsidy (INR) | Prices After Subsidy (INR) |
| 10kW | 1.17 lakhs | 5.31 to 6.07 lakhs | 4.14 to 4.90 lakhs |
| 5kW | 72,000 | 3.15 to 3.57 lakhs | 2.43 to 2.85 lakhs |
| 4kW | 63,000 | 2.52 to 2.85 lakhs | 1.89 to 2.22 lakhs |
| 3kW | 54,000 | 1.89 to 2.15 lakhs | 1.35 to 1.61 lakhs |
| 2kW | 36,000 | 1.50 to 1.70 lakhs | 1.14 to 1.34 lakhs |
| 1kW | 18,000 | 75,000 to 85,000 | 57,000 to 67,000 |
Subsidy for Residential Rooftop Solar Panel Installation in Gujarat
Based on the new scheme launched on the ‘National Portal for Rooftop Solar’ portal, residential consumers can avail of central financial assistance directly from the portal. The subsidy is applicable only for grid-connected rooftop solar panel installations; the details are as follows,
- Solar systems over 3kW capacity get a subsidy of INR 78,000.
- Solar systems with 3kW capacity get INR 30,000 for 2kW and an additional INR 18,000 for 1kW.
- Solar systems with 1kW to 2kW capacity get a subsidy of INR 30,000 per kilowatt.
Solar Subsidy for Farmers in Gujarat
Based on the new solar subsidy launched for farmers in Gujarat, they can receive up to 60% subsidy (30% will be provided as a loan with 4.5-6% interest) on the cost of the project. They will also be able to export the surplus energy back into the grid.
The name of the scheme launched by the Government of Gujarat is ‘Suryashakti Kisan Yojana’. Under this scheme, farmers will get an electric tariff per unit of ₹7 for the first seven years and ₹3.5 per unit for the rest of the long term.
Rooftop Solar Panel Installation in Gujarat
Rooftop solar panel installation can be processed with simple procedures by applying through the National Portal for Rooftop Solar. After successful application, you can follow the below steps for registering for subsidy through the online portal,
Step 1: Go to the official website of ‘National Portal for Rooftop Solar’ with the attached link. Follow all the instructions mentioned in the portal.
Step 2: Create your account using your email ID and mobile number with a unique OTP generated. After registration, log in to the portal and submit your application for solar panel subsidy in Gujarat by filling in all the required information.
Step 3: Once submitted, the subsidy application will be assigned to the state Distribution Company (DISCOM) to review your solar installation for technical feasibility approval (TFR).
Step 4: After the approval is granted, you can hire professional vendors to complete the rooftop solar panel installations. You can choose a vendor based on your requirements. After finalising the vendor, sign the ALMM Declaration from the vendor to ensure the installation is done according to the standards of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE).
Step 5: Now that you have installed a home solar energy plant, the next step is to submit the documents. In addition to the required documents, customers should also upload a photo of the plant and beneficiary together. After successful completion, your plant will be scheduled for inspection and net metering system integration.
Step 6: The next step is a site visit from an authorised official from the local DISCOM service provider. After the mandated standard checks, the net metering system will be installed.
Step 7: After the installation of the net meter, the DISCOM official will provide the details of your rooftop solar plant. Post this; you’ll be able to view and download your online commissioning certificate. Now, the applicant should raise a subsidy/ CFA claim request by submitting the bank details and a copy of the cancelled bank passbook or cheque.
Step 8: After all the necessary checks, the beneficiary can receive the central government subsidy amount in the bank account within 30 days after the solar system installation.
Solar Policies and Schemes in Gujarat
With the highest solar energy harnessing potential in the state, the Government of Punjab has introduced various solar policies with the aim of encouraging solar transition across all sectors. Here are some of the highlights of the policies and schemes,
- Consumers are now free to opt for leasing their roofs or areas for solar power generation via 3rd party developers.
- The policy also offers net metering system facilities to residential and industrial consumers. For the initial installation of up to 5 years, the state government will buy excess power generated from solar at a fixed rate of ₹2.25/ unit.
- The Solar policies also ensure savings for different consumer bases when excess energy is sent to the grid,
- Residentials get in the range of ₹1.77/ unit to ₹3.78/ unit
- Captive consumption in industrial and commercial gets in the range of ₹2.92/ unit to ₹4.32/ unit.
- Third-party scale in industrial and commercial gets in the range of ₹0.91/ unit to ₹2.30/ unit.
Solar Savings in Gujarat
Find the approximate savings for each solar panel system size from 1kW to 5kW in Gujarat. The values can vary based on factors such as energy consumption, site location, and solar panel efficiency.
| Solar Panel System Size (kW) | Average units generated (per year) (approx.) | Annual Solar Savings in Gujarat (INR) (approx.) |
| 1 kW | 900-1200 | ₹9000 – ₹12,000 |
| 2 kW | 1800-2400 | ₹18,000 – ₹24,000 |
| 3 kW | 2700-3600 | ₹27,000 – ₹36,000 |
| 4 kW | 3600-4800 | ₹36,000 – ₹48,000 |
| 5 kW | 4500-6000 | ₹45,000 – ₹60,000 |
Note: This is an approximate estimate if the electricity tariff per unit in your area is ₹10. It’s advisable to consult a professional solar installation specialist for accurate pricing.
Factors Contributing to Solar Savings in Gujarat
The primary factor that determines annual savings is the amount of energy produced by the solar panel. There are other key factors that contribute to solar savings, including,
- The energy utilized and the excess amount generated will be purchased by the utility company.
- Solar panels significantly reduce the electricity cost consumed by the grid. This means that the monthly electric bill will reflect the electricity consumed.
- Government policies, schemes, incentives, and tax credits can reduce the installation costs.
- Electricity rates from your utility companies can give you higher savings. The higher the electricity rates, the greater the potential savings from solar power.
Future Perspective of Rooftop Solar Panel Installation in Gujarat
To expect annual savings from solar panels to have higher returns, it is essential to consider their long-term benefits. Typically, solar panels come with a 25-year warranty, which means that throughout this period, homeowners or solar installers can potentially save a substantial amount. Solar power is a smart investment for your wallet and also for the environment, contributing to sustainable and eco-friendly energy sources.
Now that people are making a conscious choice towards the eco-friendly, cleaner alternative. Hence, the use of solar power is one such choice; with the help of government subsidies, solar system installation is gaining massive momentum.
