The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has released draft guidelines to enhance the PM Surya Ghar scheme for rooftop solar installations, focusing on fostering innovation and supporting startups and institutions.
The guidelines aim to encourage collaborative pilots, proof-of-concepts, and the scaling of new business models to develop cutting-edge technologies and products related to rooftop solar systems. Additionally, the guidelines are designed to promote solutions that enhance the management of distributed energy resources by discoms, incorporating advanced technologies such as blockchain, battery storage, and digital solutions for energy management. MNRE has allocated Rs 5 billion for these innovative projects, with financial assistance capped at 60 per cent of the total project cost or Rs 0.3 billion, whichever is lower. The projects will have a maximum duration of 18 months, and the funds will be disbursed based on milestones. Awards are also planned to incentivise startups, with cash prizes up to Rs 10 million for the best innovations. The projects will follow a structured process, with funding released in stages and utilisation monitored to ensure timely progress.