Indian ministry ticks off agencies for not bidding out rooftop solar

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Credit: IFC CleanMax Solar

India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has reminded implementing agencies of rooftop solar projects under the capital subsidy scheme that they must go through a transparent bidding process to discover tariffs or the project will no longer be eligible for subsidies.

The subsidy scheme relates to rooftop PV across the residential, social and institutional sectors, but MNRE has learned that some implementing agencies, such as distribution companies (Discoms), municipal corporations and SNAs, have gone against guidelines and issued work orders based on the benchmark prices without going through a bidding process.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The MNRE stated: “It is once again re-iterated that implementing agencies must adhere to […] guidelines and selection of bidders and discovery of project cost for rooftop solar under Ministry’s scheme must be through a transparent competitive bidding process. Any violation of these guidelines shall make the project ineligible for availing CFA [Central Financial Assistance] from MNRE. Further, any advance amount released for in such cases, shall have to be refunded back to the Ministry along with interest accrued thereon.”

In a separate issue, MNRE has announced that it will soon release a new benchmark cost for off-grid solar PV systems and rooftop systems for the year 2018/19.

India has installed more than 2GW of rooftop solar to date.

Read Next

September 12, 2025
ACME Venus Urja has secured INR3.8 billion (US$43 million) to develop and construct a solar-plus-storage project in Barmer, Rajasthan.
September 10, 2025
Indian solar module manufacturer Vikram Solar reported a 79.7% year-on-year increase in revenue for the first quarter of FY26.
September 9, 2025
Australia's National Electricity Market (NEM) broke records yesterday when renewables supplied 76.4% of total electricity demand, with solar power contributing nearly 60% of the record-breaking clean energy mix.
September 8, 2025
Vikram Solar has won a 336MW module supply agreement from L&T Construction for the 2.3GW Khavda solar park in Gujarat. 
September 4, 2025
India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, the joint forum of the Centre and States, has reduced the GST rate on renewable energy components from 12% to 5%. 
September 4, 2025
Indian solar manufacturer Waaree Energies has acquired a 64% equity stake in power transformer manufacturing company Kotsons.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines