MNRE Releases Standard Costs for Rooftop Solar Installations

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has announced that it has released a notice with the latest benchmark costs for installation of new grid-tied rooftop solar PV plants for the current financial year.

As per the announcement, projects with a capacity of above 1 kW and up to 10 kW, the benchmark cost has been set at Rs 54/W, or Rs 54,000 per kW. This benchmark cost has been reduced by Rs 6/W when compared to the cost set in the previous fiscal in which such projects attracted a benchmark cost of Rs 60,000 per kW. Which happened to be, Rs 10/W lower than the previous year i.e. 2017.

Nevertheless, the cost of installation, in special category states which include North-Eastern states, Uttarakhand, Himachal and the Islands, has been set at Rs 59/W or effectively Rs 59,000 per kW.

Likewise, for projects over 10 kW and up to 100 kW, the cost has been set at Rs 48/W or Rs 48,000/kW. A drop of Rs 7,000/kW from the last financial year. Lastly, for projects over 100 kW and up to 500 kW, a benchmark cost of Rs 45,000/kW will be applicable, down from Rs 53,000/kW last year.

The new benchmark costs will apply to all the executing agencies which are involved in developing rooftop solar projects.