MNRE Calls for Innovative Project Proposals Under PM Surya Ghar Scheme

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, through the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), invites proposals under the 'Innovative Projects' component of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, aimed at showcasing next-generation rooftop solar (RTS) technologies and solutions.

Approved on 29th February 2024, the PM Surya Ghar scheme aims to accelerate the adoption of rooftop solar by residential consumers across the country with a financial outlay of INR 75,021 crore.

The implementation of the innovative projects component was further formalised on 8th October 2024 through detailed scheme guidelines.

This initiative is designed to support the development and demonstration of cutting-edge technologies, business models, and integration techniques that can significantly drive the scale-up and adoption of solar rooftops in India. It seeks to encourage breakthroughs in areas like blockchain-based peer-to-peer solar energy trading, smart building materials, EV-RTS integration, digital platforms, grid-responsive storage-enabled systems, and much more.

The goal is not just to improve the technical and financial feasibility of rooftop solar but also to inspire widespread adoption through community, regulatory, and policy innovation.

Proposals are invited from a wide spectrum of entities, including R&D institutions, academic bodies, public and private industries, NGOs, startups (including unregistered ones recognised by DPIIT), trusts, societies, and organisations engaged in renewable energy research and promotion. Participating organisations are encouraged to submit original concepts and scalable solutions that align with the goals of energy access, efficiency, and resilience.

The project duration is capped at 18 months from the issuance of the Letter of Award, though this may be adjusted by the selection committee. Evaluation will focus on the relevance, novelty, feasibility, societal impact, and readiness level of the proposed technology, along with support from DISCOMs or regulatory commissions wherever applicable. Technology-agnostic proposals are welcome, provided they demonstrate a clear potential for transforming India's RTS landscape.

Selected projects will be eligible for financial support up to 60 percent of the total cost or INR 30 crore, whichever is lower. The grant will be released in milestones, with up to 50 percent available at the sanction stage to facilitate early equipment procurement. Subsequent disbursements will be based on progress and fund utilisation reports, with overhead charges capped at 8 percent of the project cost or INR 15 lakh, whichever is less. Final overhead disbursal will be contingent on successful project completion and verification by the Monitoring Committee for Innovative Projects.

NISE will function as the Scheme Implementation Agency (SIA), responsible for tracking project progress, fund utilisation, milestone reviews, and reporting. Interested applicants must submit their proposals online via the NISE website. Submissions must include a clear articulation of the proposal's objectives, deliverables, international relevance, and a brief resume of project investigators. Consortiums may be formed with clearly defined roles, especially when industry collaboration is involved, ensuring commercialisation potential and industrial readiness.