Contents
1 Introduction 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Potential of Solar Energy in India: 2
1.3 Rationale for the study: 6
1.4 Aim 9
1.5 Objectives 9
1.6 Methodology 9
2 Overview of Solar Energy Programme 15
2.1 Global Initiative on Climate Change 15
2.1.1 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 15
2.1.2 Kyoto Protocol 16
2.1.3 Paris Agreement: 17
2.2 International Renewable Energy Programme 18
2.2.1 Germany 18
2.2.2 China: 21
2.2.3 Japan 22
2.2.4 Saudi Arabia 23
2.2.5 Inference 26
2.3 Indian Scenario on Solar Energy 28
2.3.1 National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC): 28
2.3.2 Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, 2011 (JNNSM) 29
2.4 State Solar Policies 34
2.4.1 Tamil Nadu Solar Energy Policy – 2012 36
2.4.2 Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy – 2014 38
2.5 Gujarat Solar Power Policy – 2015 39
2.5.1 Types of projects under Solar Policy 40
2.5.2 Eligibility criteria for installation of Rooftop Solar PV system 41
2.5.3 Subsidy Provisions and Incentives 41
2.5.4 Tariffs for Sale of Surplus Power 42
2.5.5 Process for setting up of Rooftop Solar PV systems with net metering 42
2.5.6 Policy Uncertainty 44
3 Solar Power Technologies 47
3.1 Solar Photovoltaic Technology (Solar PV) 47
3.1.1 Solar Cells 47
3.1.2 Battery 51
3.1.3 Inverters – Conversion of AC to DC 52
3.1.4 Types of Structures 52
3.2 Solar Thermal Technology (Concentrated Solar Power CSP) 53
3.2.1 Solar Power Tower 54
3.2.2 Parabolic Trough System 55
3.2.3 Hybrid Systems 55
3.2.4 Types of Grid Connections 56
3.3 Comparison between Solar PV and Concentrated Solar Thermal (CSP) 57
3.3.1 Global Installed Solar Power 57
3.3.2 Installed Solar Capacity in India 57
3.4 Inference 58
4 Study Area Description 59
4.1 City Profile 59
4.2 Climate and Solar Irradiance 60
4.3 Power Supply Scenario in Ahmedabad 60
4.4 Data Collection Methods 61
4.4.1 Potential Locations for Household Surveys 62
4.4.2 Interaction with Channel Partners: 63
4.4.3 Household Surveys 63
4.5 Design of Household Questionnaires 67
4.5.1 Questionnaire Design: Section 1 67
4.5.2 Questionnaire Design: Section 2 67
4.6 Profile of Respondents 69
4.7 Inference 73
5 Opportunities in Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Systems 75
5.1 Enabling Solar Policy Instruments 75
5.1.1 Net Metering 75
5.1.2 Subsidies on Capital Costs for Installation of Rooftop Solar Systems 77
5.1.3 Cost Inclusion of all Components 78
5.1.4 Inclusion of Operation and Maintenance Costs 78
5.1.5 Direct Subsidy Reimbursement to Channel Partners 79
5.2 Mandatory Building Clearances 80
5.2.1 Building Bye-Laws 80
5.2.2 Environmental Clearance 83
5.3 Economic Opportunities of Solar Energy 85
5.3.1 Opportunities on a National level – Reduce Dependence on Imported Coal 86
5.3.2 Reduction in Transmission Losses 88
5.3.3 Economic Potential of Rooftops in Urban Areas 90
5.4 Inference 94
6 Financial Viability of Rooftop Solar PV System 95
6.1.1 Base Case: Common Parameter Analysis 95
6.1.2 Scenario 1: 30% MNRE subsidy and Rs. 10,000 State Subsidy 98
6.1.3 Scenario 2: No MNRE subsidy and Rs. 10,000 State Subsidy 99
6.1.4 Scenario 3: 30% MNRE subsidy and Rs. 10,000 State Subsidy with reduced Capital cost 99
6.1.5 Scenario 4: No MNRE subsidy and Rs. 10,000 State Subsidy with reduced Capital cost per kW 101
6.2 Conclusion 101
7 Conclusion and Recommendations 103
7.1 Policy Recommendations 103
7.1.1 Awareness and Promotion models 103
7.1.2 Mechanism for Dynamic Target modification 104
7.2 Integration of Rooftop Solar PV systems into Building Bylaws 104
7.2.1 Proposed Building Bye-Laws for Rooftop Solar PV systems 105
7.2.2 Block Chain Technology model for Rooftop Solar PV 108
7.3 Sustainable Rooftop Implementation for Solar Transfiguration of India (SRISTI) Programme 109
7.4 Conclusion 110
8 References xvii