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Guidelines for implementation of "Off- grid & Decentralized Solar Thermal Application" Scheme

Ministry to issue separate "Operational Guidelines" for the implementation of this 'sub-scheme' in due course

June 05, 2014. By Moulin

In continuation to the Administrative Approval for continuation of "Off-grid & Decentralized Solar Applications" Scheme in the 2nd Phase of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission during 12th plan period, MNRE declared the Guidelines for implementation the "Off- grid and Decentralized Solar Thermal Application Scheme". The Ministry would issue separately "Operational Guidelines" for the implementation of this 'sub-scheme' in due course.

The first phase (up to March 2013) having achieved the required target and momentum, Solar Thermal component of JNNSM in balance period (UPTO MARCH 2022) will now, inter alia, would require focus on promoting off-grid systems including hybrid systems to meet / supplement heating and cooling energy requirements and power. These systems still require interventions to bring down costs. The key challenge is to provide an enabling framework and support for entrepreneurs to develop markets. This scheme /programme will address off grid and decentralized solar thermal application area/systems. The installed capacity in India stands at 7.281 million sq m2 equivalent to 5082 MWth till 30th October 2013.

Following systems are considered for grant of capital subsidy in this scheme:

Solar water heating
Solar air heating
Solar steam generation/ pressurized hot water/air systems
Solar thermal refrigeration/cooling
Solar Thermal Power Pack (including hybrid with Solar PV)
Solar stills

The scheme is valid till 31.3.17. The programme would be implemented through multiple agencies for rapid up- scaling in an inclusive mode. These agencies would be State Nodal Agencies/Deptts. implementing the renewable energy programmes, Solar Energy Corporation of India, Channel Partners and other Govt. organizations i.e., PSUs/Institutions/State Departments/Local Governments/Municipal Corporations/NHB/NABARD/IREDA etc.

For setting up of the projects the release of funds for various Implementing Agencies would be as follows:

Sl. No.	Implementing Agency	Pattern for Release of Funds
1.	State Nodal Agencies and State Nodal Departments	Upto30% of the eligible CFA and services charges at the time of sanction of the proposal in the project/programme mode. However, 10% advance may be given at the time of allocation of targets on programme mode. 70% after successful commissioning of the projects after sample verification on submission of requisite claims.
2.	Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)	10% advance on allocation of targets/sanction of the preliminary proposal on programme mode. 20% after submission of detailed proposal on the costs firmed up on tender basis. 70% on completion/commissioning, performance report for about one month and due verification/third party inspection thereof on submission of requisite claims.
3.	Channel Partners	On reimbursement basis on completion/ commissioning, performance report for about one month and due verification/third party inspection thereof on submission of requisite claims. 50% of the eligible CFA to be released at the stage of claims submitted after completion/commissioning and balance 50% after verification/3rd party inspection. In case of CST based systems, 100% of eligible CFA may be released after 3^rd party inspection on commissioning
4.	Other Government Agencies for the Govt. Projects	Upto 30% of the eligible CFA and service charges at the time of sanction of proposal in the project/programme mode. 70 % after successful commissioning of the projects after sample verification on submission of requisite claims.

Solar Thermal Application Area to be supported under this scheme:

Sr. No.	Solar Collector type
Low Temperature Solar Thermal Systems
1	Evacuated Tube Collectors (ETCs)
2	Flat Plate Collectors (FPC) with liquid as the working fluid
3	Flat Plate Collectors with air as the working fluid
Medium Temperature Solar Thermal Systems
4.	Fixed focus automatically tracked elliptical dishes, Parabolic troughs, Linear Fresnel reflectors, Non-Imaging Concentrators & Heat Pipes
i)	Retrofitted
ii)	New system for cooking / process heat
iii)	New system for space cooling
High Temperature Solar Thermal Systems
5.	Dual axis tracked Fresnel reflector/ paraboloid based dishes and central tower receiver
i)	Retrofitted
ii)	New system for cooking / process heat
iii)	New system for space cooling