Solar Power Projects :
Energy Conservation is one of the most crucial subjects today and Punjab is endowed with vast potential of solar energy with over 300 days of sunshine in a year and this key Renewable Energy Source is being efficiently exploited by PEDA. As the state is endowed with vast potential of solar energy estimated at 4-7 KWH/Sq.mtr of solar insolation levels and the Government is also keen to tap this resource for strengthening power infrastructure in the State by setting up Solar Energy based power projects so as to save the depleting resources for our future generation and to combat global warming, fast depleting conventional sources of energy and resultant increased environmental pollution.

PEDA with its untiring efforts has successfully commissioned the following projects:-

Under Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Govt. of India, programme for Demonstration of Grid Interactive Solar Photovoltaic System, 2 Nos. (50 Kwp Capacity each) Grid Interactive Power Plant has been installed at Mini Sectt. Building, Chandigarh and Village Bajak. Both these projects were commissioned during October 1999 and are operating satisfactorily.

Another 200 KWp SPV Grid Interactive Power Project at Village Khatkar Kalan, Distt. Nawanshaher has been commissioned with 67% financial support from MNRE, GOI in the state. This project is feeding Solar Power in the PSEB Grid in the localized manner and providing power to 100 numbers of streetlights. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Hon’ble President of India, had dedicated this project to the Nation on the martyrdom day of Shaheed-e-Azam S. Bhagat Singh on March 23rd 2003.

A two MW Solar PV project has been commissioned in Village Awan, Distt. Amritsar.

Seven Solar Photovoltaic Projects have been allocated to private developers on BOO (Build Own and Operate) basis in the state under LT/11KV programme of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, Govt. of India. With these projects located closer to the load, transmission and distribution losses will be reduced considerably and PV systems located at rural remote locations ensure prevention of voltage drop at peak day time load. It is worth mentioning here that this form of energy would mitigate carbon dioxide emissions and would consequently combat climate change. With the utilization of this abundant resource, it is proposed to add 200 MW by the year 2020.

A major rooftop programme for Solar Photovoltaic Power Project has been launched in the state under which the rooftop SPV Power Projects are being setup at various important Govt., Institutional, and Religious buildings namely Punjab Raj Bhawan, Punjab Civil Secretariat , Golden Temple, Wagah Border, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and Pushpa Gujral Science City , Kapurthala. Rooftop projects shall be continued to be promoted in all sectors in order to enhance the share of solar power in the state

The state govt. has formulated a New and Renewable Sources of Energy Policy (NRSE Policy)-2006. The govt. has offered the following financial and fiscal incentives for solar power projects : 

• To promote manufacturing and sale of NRSE devices/ systems, and equipments / machinery required for NRSE Power Projects, Value Added Tax (VAT) shall be levied @ 4%.

• Octroi : on energy generation and NRSE devices/ equipment/ machinery for NRSE Power Projects shall be exempted. 

• Wheeling : The PSEB/LICENSEES will undertake to transmit through its grid the power generated from NRSE projects set up inside
  or outside the State and make it available to the producer for captive use in the same company units located in the state or third party sale within the State at a uniform wheeling charge of 2% of the energy fed to the grid, irrespective of the distance from the generating station.

• Sale of power :. Power generation from Solar Energy Projects- Rs. 7.00 per unit (Base Year 2006-07) with five annual escalations @ 5% upto 2011-2012.

• Banking: The banking facility for the power generated shall be allowed for a period of one year by the PSEB/ Licensees.

• Exemption from Electricity duty:  The Power Generation from NRSE projects shall be exempted from levy of Electricity Duty.

1. PSEB/ Licensees will accept the injection of energy in full during sustained high frequency hours to ensure full utilization of non-conventional energy resources.

PSEB/ Licensees will provide facility of irrevocable and revolving, Letter of Credit issued by any nationalized bank. The amount of the Letter of Credit shall be equal to the bill amount of one month on the basis of average of last three months.  All expenditures on Letter of Credit shall be borne by the power producers.

SOLAR POWER PROJECTS COMMISSIONED (1.325 MW)

LIST OF SPV POWER PROJECTS SHORTLISTED BY IREDA UNDER RPSSGP PROGRAMME UNDER JNNSM