Know What is Solar Power Policy in Himachal Pradesh

SOLAR POWER: SCOPE IN INDIA

Solar energy will play a important role in achieving Atama Nirabhar agenda These were the words of our Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi. While inaugurating Asia’s biggest Solar Project.So Solar power Policy is formulated to achieve the target.

As all of us know India is a Rich nation in terms of natural resources. This plus point of our nation that we are rich in the content of nature. This Drives us to take full advantage of this natural richness. Why should we import fuel by paying huge amount to other nations?

We our self are content.We have all the raw material required to generate clean and renewable energy. Renewable energy is that which can be renewed every single time after being utilized. Isn’t this great? We can use the same one to utilize again and again.

Solar Power Policy in Himachal Pradesh:

As all of us are pretty much aware that Himachal Pradesh is the land of beauty.It has many natural resources. In fact it has always been called as paradise on earth. This soothing beauty is not only pleasure to eyes and to attract tourists.But this beauty and nature can also be utilized for production of electricity at zero cost .This will help in overcoming the shortage of electricity in nation.

Taking all these capabilities into view the government of Himachal Pradesh has designated  Himurja as a nodal agency for solar projects.

Himuraja co-ordinates and facilitates to install solar projects in the state by private powers producers. Solar power plants are a renewal source of energy. These power plants can produce energy on zero cost by just utilizing the sun rays. 

Most part of land in Himachal is not fit for agriculture.As the land is not cultivable like lands in Punjab and other states. In that case the land can be utilizes for installation of solar power plants. Keeping all these points in mind HP gvt established HP solar power policy 2016.

HP POWER POLICY 2016:

 The policy is valid up to 31-3-2022

This shall be applicable for solar photovoltaic (PV)

1.The objective of Solar Power policy:

This is a core development policy of the state. It promotes generation of electricity from solar energy utilized through solar power plants installed at unusable Land. Following are the objectives which the state government want to achieve through this policy.

•  To provide people in remote and rural areas 24*7 power
• To protect the environment. As electricity generation through solar power is a clean process it creates no pollution and no harm to environment.
• To protect the climate changes. The electricity generated through solar power plants does not hinder the climate in any sense. No global warming  is their and hence no change in climate as whatever happens is just a natural process no modification with nature is done.
•  To generates revenue in rural and remote areas. Farmers whose land are not cultivable and are suffering through poor conditions in their life can earn money through these solar power plants as they can produce electricity and can sell to the government or any other individual and can upgrade their life standards.
•  Solar energy is renewable energy reliable and affordable. Sun is never lasting it will never go off .Today we are receiving sun rays and will receive forever this energy is reliable this will never vanish. Moreover it is renewable we can use it again and again.

Also Read this : PM FREE SOLAR PENAL YOJANA

2.The salient feather of solar Power policy are:

•  Power Supply Scenario in Himachal is Surplus: Himachal a power surplus state i.e. Himachal produces electricity more than requirement in state. About 2500 MW hydro power potential is available in the state. In this situation the extra electricity produced by the state is sold to neighbor states and state is generating good amount of revenue from it. By utilizing solar power the state can generate more electricity and can supply more to the neighboring states to overcome their shortage of electricity.
• Clean energy consumption in Himachal––Currently electricity is produced through Hydro power projects in Himachal Pradesh which means 100 % clean energy is already being  generated since 2014 -2015 and  accordingly the Himachal Pradesh is meeting its requirement from Hydel sources. Now solar energy policy is focusing on the same the clean energy production by utilizing solar energy.
• 24*7 supplies for all––100 % electrification target achieved during 1988 in HP through grid supply and off-grid through the solar photovoltaic system. Now the Solar Power policy wants to increase the Surplus energy Production to meet the 100% electrification target in other states also by producing clean electricity through solar projects and supplying the electricity to other states.
•  Solar power is Viable and has potential––Solar Power has Potential of 34 GW including in it 3% of the total wasteland and rooftop surface area of the consumer for this purpose. Moreover it is very reliable source as we will always have sun rays which can be utilized again and again for energy production.
• The obligation of Renewal power purchase–Himachal Pradesh state regulatory commission prescribed long term renewal power purchase obligation, in line with a national action plan.

3. Sale of Power

The power producer i.e. the villagers or any person who has installed solar power plant in his unusable land and is free to sell the power to any consumer in state or sale to any trader or to HESEBL or out of state.

There are no restrictions from government in the sale of electricity produced however some tariff is imposed by the government in order to generate revenue from these solar projects.

4. Tariff 

The government has decided and declared tariff on production of electricity. Following is the classification of tariff applied according to quantity of electricity produced

• UP to 5 MW generations, the tariff will be fixed by Himachal Pradesh regulatory commission. Which is variable and government keeps on changing this tariff from time to time.
• Tariff above 5 MW discovered through competitive bidding. Which is done by  The Directorate of Energy  they asks Bid from neighboring states in which they quote their Price for buying electricity and then on competitive basis the price is finalized.

5. Interconnection with the grid

Projects up to 2 MW capacity allowed solid tap connectivity in 11 KV network and above 2 MW capacity, the line has to connect 33 KV or above substation. As capacity up to 2 MW can handle and support 11 KV network only and higher capacity can support 33 KV Stations.

6. Nodal controller

• Purpose of registration HIMURGA.
• The purpose of open access HPSEBL or HPPTCL.
• The power purchase agreement with HPSEBL, if both parties agree to sell and buy.
• For saturated clearances or permissions, the concerned departments will be the authority.
• Assistant engineer of the operation subdivision of HPSEBL for the rooftop net metering.

The link to official website of himurja for more details is here : CLICK HERE

7. Land requirement  

• Max limit of land per MW shall be 2.5 hectares or 62 Kanal approx
• Transfer of government or private land on lease basis for 30 years

8. Procedure for registration of the solar project

These projects are being treated as industrial projects.

Process and procedure involved as registration, PPA, interconnection, land transfer, and other routine processes like electric, water connection, approach road TCP approval, etc.through HIMURGA 

9. Benefits to the locals

70 % of employment will be provided to the resident of the state of the total employment. The potential at the construction, and the operation stage is very good of this Policy. As many people are having lands but they are not getting any benefit out of them. As the land is not that much cultivable. But now people can generate electricity. By installing Solar Panels and sell the electricity to the needy ones.So they can earn good amount to uplift their living standards.