The Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) is installing 5 MWp rooftop solar PV systems at more than 50 locations of the company across the country, reported PTI.

Currently, it has more than 500 kWp solar PV systems operational at its various premises. PGCIL is expected to commission another 140 kWp in townships at Sectors 43 and 46, Gurugram (Haryana) before the Independence Day. These installations will generate of 7-8 million units (MUs) per annum, according to PTI.

These efforts are in line with PGCIL’s endeavors to become a net-zero energy company.

Mercom recently reported that most rooftop installations are happening in the government, commercial, and industrial sectors and the pace of installations is well behind utility-scale installations. Only about 2 GW of rooftop solar has been installed as of Q1 2018 out of the 40 GW by 2022 target set by the government.

Recently, the Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (MPUVNL) tendered 33 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar PV projects to be set up under the RESCO model in the state. MPUVNL is implementing this project in partnership with the World Bank.

Earlier, Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Limited (REIL), retendered 50 MW of grid-connected rooftop and small solar projects. These rooftop projects will be installed on government buildings in different states and union territories of India and will be developed under the RESCO model.

The growth in the residential rooftop market is almost negligible. one of the primary reasons for this is the lack of viable financing options for residential customers. Mercom reported recently that the delays in subsidy disbursement are hampering the growth of residential rooftop solar in India. Many rooftop solar installers are not keen to take up residential projects as securing project finance has become increasingly difficult due to delayed or non-payment of subsidies.

According to the recently released India’s Solar Market Leaders report, the top 10 rooftop solar developers in India accounted for 27 percent of rooftop solar PV installations. Tata Power was the top installer in 2017 followed by CleanMax and Fourth Partner Energy.

Image credit: Sunsenz Solar Kerela

Nitin is a staff reporter at Mercomindia.com and writes on renewable energy and related sectors. Prior to Mercom, Nitin has worked for CNN IBN, India News, Agricultural Spectrum and Bureaucracy Today. He received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism & Communication from Manipal Institute of Communication at Manipal University and Master’s degree in International Relations from Jindal School of International Affairs. More articles from Nitin Kabeer