In a panic to meet its solar energy target Karnataka changed its policy. The move has almost destroyed the initiative.
THE THOUGHT behind Karnataka’s move was noble, but the execution was shoddy. When the state announced its solar policy on May 22, 2014, and declared that its target was to produce 400 MW of power from rooftop solar panels by 2018, the decision was hailed as ambitious but praiseworthy. It, however, did not make much impact. In December 2015, the state government changed the policy and opened up the sector. Within just five months, it signed agreements for installing solar panels to produce 1,556 MW. But the decision also generated controversies, court cases and discontent among the public.
Karnataka has five power distribution companies, or discoms, that are allowed to sign power purchase agreements (ppas) with anyone who wants to install rooftop solar panels and sell the power produced to the grid. Realising that ppas for only 5 MW had been signed since the policy was announced, the state government issued a notification on December 10, 2015, which said that ppas can even be signed for buildings that are “under construction”. The rate at which power can be sold to the grid was kept at R9.56 per unit, as per an order issued in October 2013. The rate was the highest in the country at that time. As a result, by May 2016 the state received 5,631 proposals for ppas, of which 3,494 were signed. However, power production under most of them has not started, and on September 23, 2016, the total installed rooftop solar power capacity of the state was just 19.36 MW.
Blame game
This story is from the October 16, 2016 edition of Down To Earth.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 16, 2016 edition of Down To Earth.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT
West Bengal's Bhanga Mela (scrap fair) has pushed the limits of recycling. Organised every January at Mathurapur village in 24 South Parganas district, shops at the fair sell discarded electronic items, antiques and even non-functional goods that are in repairable condition.
A wild chase
BASED ON A 2015 PROBE THAT BUST A MAJOR IVORY SMUGGLING RACKET IN INDIA, POACHER PROVIDES A RARE GLIMPSE INTO THE WORK OF FOREST OFFICIALS
Suspect claims in Teva's suit against Cipla
The US Federal Trade Commission has warned the Israeli drug firm its patents are wrongful as it sues Cipla aggressively
WATER SCARREDCITY
Bengaluru's water crisis was long in the making. The city has grown at the cost of its lakes and ponds that are key to its water security. Over 93 per cent of the city is built-up, which makes groundwater recharge difficult. Inadequate sewage systems pollute the limited water available. Over the decades, the city has become dependent on the Cauvery, 100 km away, for 70 per cent of its water needs. This makes water unaffordable. It's time Bengaluru broadened its water resource base beyond the Cauvery and focused on recharging groundwater and reusing treated wastewater.
On guard
Communities in Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh reduce human-elephant conflicts using technology and proactive on-ground monitoring
Overlooked crisis
While there is much talk about climate migration, the world is without a legal framework to protect people displaced by weather disasters
Taking charge for water
A young sarpanch in Maharashtra helps his village residents avail drinking water at home
International Women's Day Special SHE
In India, women self-help groups have been a source of empowerment, fostering economic independence, social stature and community resilience.
MODERATELY YOURS
The crunchy, slightly sweet tubers of shankhalu can be a healthy addition to one's diet
TROUBLED TEAK
Farmers need to be sensitised about right planting materials and cultivation techniques to benefit from high-value teak plantations