Uttarakhand Solar Policy

Released by the Uttarakhand government in November last year, it is to be launched for financial year 2023 - 2028. As per the policy, the total solar target to be achieved is 2,000 MW. This includes utility scale - 600 MW, distributed scale – 1,400 MW, residential - 250 MW, commercial & industrial - 750 MW, institutional - 350 MW and agriculture - 50 MW. The policy will also introduce a green tariff regulation, in line with other states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. The introduction of regulations is associated with virtual net metering and group net metering. It mentions banking (100% of injected energy) throughout the year. There will be grant of intra-state open access within 21 days (captive, group - captive and third party projects). Furthermore, there will be exemption from transmission and wheeling charges---while grid connected solar less than 25 MW shall attract 100 % exemption for a period of 5 years from the COD, transmission & distribution losses shall be applicable. Some of the other attributes are:

Exemption from CSS & AS: As per the policy, there will be exemption from CSS & AS, for the solar power plants set up for third-party sale within the state (less than 25 MW) and captive/group captive solar power plants through open access.

For solar projects and new manufacturing facility setup, there will be 100 % exemption of stamp duty on the lease deed of land or purchase of land and 100 % waiver on land use conversion charges/fee.  For setting up of solar/energy storage manufacturing facility in Uttarakhand, it has been decided that there will be waiver of electricity duty (for a new manufacturing facility), for a period of 5 years. The net SGST shall be reimbursed to manufacturers and there will be 100 % exemption of custom duty for 5 years.

As far as obligations are concerned, they include the following mandates that have to be followed by consumers---All residential consumers with loadof more than 5 kW are mandated to install a rooftop solar on their premises to meet a minimum of 30% of theirannual electricity consumption. Secondly, all industrial and commercial establishments in urban areas with a connected load of 100 KW or contract demand of 120 kVA and above are mandated to fulfil at least 20%of their annual energy requirements through renewable energy sources, includingsolar energy. This shall be in line with the Energy Conservation Building Code, 2017(Revision 2021). Thirdly, all existing and upcoming government institutes and buildings are mandated to fulfil at least 20%of annual energy requirements through renewable energy sources, including solar energy. Thisshall be in line with the Energy Conservation Building Code, 2017 (Revision 2021), applicable forspecified building types with a connected load of 100 KW or contract demand of 120 kVA andabove.

Capital Subsidy:The subsidy earmarked as per the policy is as follows---rooftop solar –Rs 23,000 INR/kW up to 1 kW &Rs 17,000/kW up to 3 kW, community solar –Rs 8,000/kW for 5 to 500 kW and solar villages –Rs 15,000/kWh for 50 to 200 kW.

https://uk.gov.in/files/CEEW-_Uttarakhand_State_Solar_Policy_Draft_10Nov22.pdf