Solar panels to be installed in 1 crore households was announced by PM Modi on 22 January after performing the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared the ‘Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana’ to promote the use of solar energy in India.
He further said, “All the devotees of the world always get energy from the light of Suryavanshi Lord Shri Ram.
So, today, on the auspicious occasion of Pran Pratishtha of Raam Mandir in Ayodhya, my resolution got more powerful that the people of India should have their solar rooftop system.”
He further stated, that this scheme will not only help in reducing the electricity bill of the poor and the middle class but will also make India self-reliant in the energy sector.
Let’s understand what is ‘Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana’ and its objective.
What is ‘Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana’?
‘Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana’ was the first decision taken by PM Modi after coming from Ayodhya from Pran Pratishtha on 22 January 2024.
According to the scheme PM Modi committed to providing access to the rooftop solar panels to 1 crore families in India.
Rooftop solar panels are the photovoltaic panels installed on the roof of a building which is connected to the main power supply unit.
Thus, it reduces the consumption of grid-connected electricity and saves electricity costs for the consumer.
Why this Scheme is Launched?
The reason for the launch of the ‘Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana’ is as follows:
The primary purpose of the scheme is to reduce the electricity bills of poor and middle-class households.
The scheme also aims to decrease India’s dependency on traditional energy sources by installing rooftop solar panels and moving towards sustainable energy practices.
Moreover, this initiative will also benefit companies that install solar panels and provide related infrastructure, potentially opening up long-term investment options.
Likewise, if a person wants a rooftop solar panel the citizens have no clue which product is good.
As a result, the government introduced a standard and labelling programme for solar panels to provide consumers with the necessary information to make an informed decision when picking an efficient solar panel.
To know more about the S&L Programme for Solar Panels refer to our blog: Solar Panel Standards & Labelling Program
What is the Standard and Labelling Programme for Solar Panels?
Standards and Labelling Program is developed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) for PV modules to indicate their quality and energy efficiency.
According to the announcement by the Indian government, this scheme will be in force from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025.
The first two years of the program will be voluntary and there will be no labelling fee as well, but it will be made mandatory later.
Fee Structure for PV Module Manufacturers
Manufacturers have to pay a security fee of Rs. 1,00,000 per model ($1,203) to register.
However, small-scale industries, can provide a valid certificate and pay a reduced security fee of ₹25,000 ($300).
If you want to apply for the label on a particular model, you will need to pay an application fee of Rs. 2,000 (-$24). Renewal applications do not come with any additional fees.
The rating system for solar modules ranges from 1 star to 5 stars. The labelling fee per unit of module is Rs. 0.02/Watt.
However, the government will recognize and reward excellence by waiving labelling fees for 4 and 5-star-rated solar modules until December 31, 2025.
The government will, however, exempt 4 and 5-star rated solar modules from labelling fees until Dec 31, 2025.
This program carries a significant potential for positive environmental impact.
According to R.K. Singh (Union Power Minister) said that star-labeling solar modules will cut 30 million tons of CO2 emissions per year by 2030.
For more details refer to the official notification.
Partner with Vincular for BEE Certification for Solar Panels
If you are a PV modules manufacturer and looking for BEE certification then you are at the right place.
Vincular is India’s best regulatory compliance company and our team of professionals have comprehensive knowledge and expertise in providing BEE certification hassle-free.
Along with BEE certification, Vincular also offers diverse industry certifications and approvals, such as BIS certification, TEC and WPC approvals, CDSCO certification, ARAI certification, etc.
Note – If you want to stay updated with industry trends and the latest notifications issued by the government then follow our WhatsApp Channel or watch our publication space.
