Two-Days Training Programme on "Grid-connected Rooftop Solar PV Systems" for State Nodal Agencies, DISCOMs and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions

TERI, in association with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, organized a two-day training programme (third in the series) on 'Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar PV Systems' for the State Nodal Agencies, DISCOMs, and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions from May 5 to 6, 2016 at TERI Retreat. The training programme aimed at enabling the target groups to understand the technical, financial, and regulatory aspects of rooftop solar PV systems, including their quality standards, project management, grid-interconnection, metering arrangements, and remote monitoring mechanism.

During the programme, various practitioners and renowned industry experts from TERI, MNRE, EE&REM, SECI, World Bank, BSES, SBI, KfW, and Secure Meters shared their views and experiences on implementing solar rooftop PV systems. A roundtable discussion on 'Promoting Grid-connected Rooftop Solar PV Projects - A Practitioners Perspective' was moderated by the World Bank, and highlighted the necessity of state rankings for the 'ease of doing rooftop solar businesses'.

A total of 21 participants attended the training programme. The event concluded with a valedictory session and distribution of certificates to the participants. This was followed by a site visit to TERI Gram facilities for renewable energy technologies and systems.

During this event, various issues were raised and few suggestions were provided by the participants like:

1. Implementation mechanism should not be restricted only with the SNAs, rather to be adopted by the DISCOMs and Banks.
2. More focus needs to be given on consumer awareness (through various media campaign etc.) to promote ambitious plan of 40GWp rooftop solar power projects by 2022.
3. SNAs to be strengthened with dedicated rooftop cell, toll free helpline number and single window clearance system.
4. DISCOMs should have lesser lead-time during the inspection and approval of GCRT power plants connectivity to the distribution grid.
5. Best practices of the ideal states to be presented by the concerned SNAs in AREAS meeting.
6. In UTs, separate mechanisms to be adopted (likewise in changes in building by-law in Chandigarh, Haryana etc.) while promoting rooftop solar PV systems due to lower tariff.
7. Quality manpower is lacking in the market which will actually perform the work on the ground. Empanelled training institutes under MNRE should follow the course curriculum as developed by SCGJ for 'Suryamitra Skill Development Programme'.
8. To create consumer awareness, DISCOMs may highlight the rooftop system eligibility for each customer as per his/her contract load into the printed electricity bills.

Testimonials:

"The content of the programme has really helped gain knowledge, skills and awareness."

Mr Janjeet Bezbaruah, Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission

"Case studies by the speakers were very useful. Overall the programme was very good."

Mr P Ravi, GMR

"The programme was very useful, content and the speakers were very good."

Mr C Mani, Electricity Department, Govt. of Puducherry