A survey conducted by BESCOM indicates that around 1.4 lakh buildings in Bengaluru can generate 2500 MW solar energy
As Rooftop Solar (RTS) installations grow faster than utility scale solar photovoltaic (SPV) installations, Bengaluru shows immense potential for implementing rooftop solar projects as per a survey conducted by BESCOM (Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company Ltd.), which is a prominent DISCOM (distribution company) in Karnataka.
A survey was recently conducted by BESCOM using aerial light detection and ranging technology. Survey results indicate that approximately 1.4 lakh buildings in India’s silicon city have the potential to generate approximately 2.5 GW of solar energy.
BESCOM has an RPO (Renewable Purchase Obligation) of 10% from renewable energy sources other than solar. An RPO means that an entity has to mandatorily procure a stipulated quantum of power from renewable sources. BESCOM’s solar RPO is 0.25%. According to KREDL (Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd.), Karnataka has around 7.2 GW commissioned solar power projects, making it a leading state in the solar market.
The BESCOM survey was conducted across a 1,176 square kilometer area within the city premises. According to statistics, around 205 MW of installed rooftop solar has been realized in the state, up until July 2019. This leaves a wide lacuna in the RTS market in both Bengaluru and Karnataka.
Allowing third-party investors to rent domestic consumers’ rooftops to set up projects is one of BESCOM’s many plans to develop the RTS market within the city. On December 9, 2019, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) issued an order that explicitly portrays the implementation of four business models for third-party investors to establish RTS installations at domestic sites. As per this order, a developer can install, own and operate solar plants on a domestic consumer’s rooftop and sell energy at retail supply tariffs fixed by KERC. A capital expenditure of Rs.1,275 crores has been proposed for the installation of hybrid solar rooftop projects with storage. The capacity of these projects is slated at 1.06 GW.
As per the Government of Karnataka’s Solar Policy 2014-21, it is proposed to install 6 GW solar power projects by March 2021, out of which 2.4 GW will be from grid connected rooftop solar photovoltaic projects.
According to the Karnataka (BESCOM) Solar Rooftop Policy for 2019-20, a tariff of Rs.3.08 per unit has been set for grid connected megawatt scale solar power projects of less than 5 MW. A tariff of Rs.3.07 per unit (without capital subsidy) and Rs.2.32 per unit (with capital subsidy) has been proposed for grid connected rooftop solar photovoltaic projects of 1 kW to 200 kW. And finally, a tariff of Rs.3.99 per unit (without capital subsidy) and Rs.2.97 per unit (with capital subsidy) for grid connected solar rooftop photovoltaic projects of 1 kW to 2000 kW. Bengaluru seems to be a promising ground for the RTS market to take shape in the years to come. BESCOM aims to achieve a target of 1 GW of rooftop solar photovoltaic capacity by 2021-22.
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