REconnect Summit- '24: Empowering India’s Solar Rooftop Potential

Solar rooftop installations have proven to be a boon, not only slashing electricity bills but also fostering environmental sustainability and enhancing energy independence by generating power at the point of use.

To further promote solar rooftop technology across India, Energetica India organised the REconnect- Summit- '24 in New Delhi. The summit's session, titled ‘Rooftop Solar Deployment in India: Opportunities and Challenges,’ witnessed key players from the renewable energy sector.

The panel included Shabnam Bassi, Director of the Sustainable Buildings Division at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Anil Bohara, Head (System Operation, SCADA and Distribution Automation Projects), BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd., Gopal Verliani, Chief Business Officer at WAACAB, Ankur Mahendru, Technical and Marketing Director at Usha Shriram Solar, and Hemant Arora, Director at Omnimedia Publications India Pvt. Ltd.

Dwelling on the growing economic value of S2 models, Bassi said, “These models have the potential to revolutionise the cost dynamics of solar energy projects, making them more accessible and affordable.”

Mahendru elaborated on improving financing options, saying, “To make financing more accessible, we should treat it like car financing—standardised models, identified rooftop types, and pre-packaged kits could help banks secure their investments. Government certifications at various levels would further support this.”

He also stressed the importance of architectural support for extending the lifespan of solar panels, noting, “Proper architectural support can address concerns like panels being blown away by the wind. Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) plays a crucial role in ensuring reliability, and financial support will be more viable if solar installations are guaranteed to last for 25 years and generate electricity consistently.”

Bassi discussed the need for effective financial models, stating, “While various affordable financial instruments are available, they come with risks, particularly in commissioning and expected results. Thorough risk analysis is essential to mitigating these risks.”

She also pointed out the benefits of project aggregation, saying, “Project aggregation can reduce costs and make it easier for households to adopt solar solutions. As sustainability evolves and costs decrease due to more available products and technologies, demand aggregation and better information dissemination will be key to widespread solar adoption in the next decade.”

Arora addressed grassroots promotion, saying, “We need to explore the full potential of rooftops, especially in Tier 3 cities and rural areas. Government efforts should focus more on these areas, involving NGOs and the media to create platforms for educating people on installation and available discounts. This will help clear up confusion and increase adoption.”

He added, “Urban rooftops are increasingly occupied, while rural areas have more space available. By educating rural populations about solar technology, we can significantly boost installations in these regions.”

Bassi raised a question about the choice between government subsidies for free energy and investing in rooftop solar, asking, “With some state governments offering free energy for the first 300 units and other policies potentially hindering solar adoption, how should users decide between free energy and rooftop solar?”

Bohara responded, “The industry is growing rapidly, with increasing subsidies. However, awareness remains a challenge. It’s crucial for individuals, universities, and governments to work together to provide better information and address this gap. There should be a platform to facilitate this by offering more information and common results to all stakeholders.”

Going forward, ‘REconnect Summit-'24’ concluded with a clear call to action by overcoming challenges and leveraging opportunities that are crucial for accelerating the expansion of solar rooftop installations throughout India.