Agartala, May 20 (IANS) Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Wednesday announced that the state government and the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited would provide rooftop solar panels for just Rs 1,000 to consumers using less than 50 units of electricity, with 1.5 lakh families already identified under the initiative.

The Minister announced after launching the Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic System Handbook at Geetanjali Government Guest House here.

Highlighting the benefits under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, Nath said that the government is providing subsidies of Rs 33,000 for 1 kilowatt, Rs 66,000 for 2 kilowatts, and Rs 85,800 for 3 kilowatt solar systems.

He said that the PM Surya Ghar initiative has already gained momentum in Tripura, with around 17,000 people registering under the scheme and nearly 3,500 families installing rooftop solar systems.

“Currently, we are generating 11 megawatts of power under the PM Surya Ghar scheme. In collaboration with the Asian Development Bank, Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited, and the state government, we have set a new target to identify 1.5 lakh families consuming less than 50 units of electricity. These families will receive solar systems worth Rs 66,000 by paying only Rs 1,000,” Nath said.

He said that the initiative is expected to generate around 150 megawatts of electricity in the state.

“We are hopeful that the work will begin next month. We are identifying beneficiaries based on official records of consumers using less than 50 units of electricity. There are nearly three lakh such families in the state, and initially 1.5 lakh families will be covered under the scheme,” the Minister added.

Nath further informed that Germany-based organisation GIZ, in collaboration with Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited, has been imparting training to officials, engineers, and vendors on the maintenance and repair of rooftop solar systems.

He said that following the training programme, two handbooks in English and Bengali were published for consumers and stakeholders associated with rooftop solar projects.

“Earlier, consumers had to pay electricity bills, but now many of them are earning money by supplying power through rooftop solar systems. The handbook launched today will help vendors, engineers, bank officials, and consumers better understand the operation and maintenance of these systems. Those who could not attend the training programme will also benefit from these booklets,” Nath added.

–IANS

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