The Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) has prepared a user manual for an online single window clearance portal that would facilitate the seamless implementation of rooftop solar projects in the country’s smallest state.

The portal will enable prospective consumers to submit their interest for an installation by providing relevant details,  and will then be given the option to select from a list of rooftop solar installers approved by the state nodal agency.

To make the process easy and lucrative for the consumers, the selected installer would then be required to complete all the requirements, from filing the application through the completion of the rooftop solar installation.

This portal is a good step, considering the hassle-free process it would provide to the prospective consumers. Additionally, the portal will optimize the installation times by avoiding repetitive information requests from different agencies. The portal will also provide information on the technology, policies, regulations, and central as well as state specific programs.

The link to access the portal for rooftop solar implementation in Goa is www.solarrooftop.gov.in/goa/.

A GEDA official told Mercom, “The single window clearance portal is designed with the objective to make the process simpler for consumers, as they should not have any trouble in applying for the approvals. In this portal, you can access the information stage-wise, for example- status of the application, why the approval is pending etc. This will save the consumers from running from place to place and save time.”

The official further added, “This program is sponsored by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). All the procedures related to the portal have been completed. It is expected to go live by the end of this year.”

The manual has been prepared under the EU-India technical cooperation project called Energy. The project has been operational since September 2014 and it has helped the Bureau of Energy Efficiency), Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to implement various programs.

In December 2017, the government and cabinet of ministers of Goa approved the state’s Draft Solar Policy 2017, which set a target of achieving 150 MW of solar by 2021. The policy will remain in effect for up to seven years. The approval comes five months after GEDA first released its Draft Solar Policy 2017 in July 2017.

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