Oil marketing companies (OMCs) are offering a subsidy to their cooking gas (LPG) and motor fuel pump dealers to install solar rooftop systems at their units. There are close to 50,000 petrol/diesel outlets in the country and around 18,000 LPG distributors.
Indian Oil has set an initial target of solarising 5,000 locations in 2018. It has issued a circular which says, “Solarisation has manifold advantages as a source of energy in our retail network. It is not only a green alternative for power generation vis-à-vis the traditional DG (diesel generator) sets but leads to reduced consumption of hydrocarbon fuels and lowers carbon footprints.”
The OMCs have also enlisted regional suppliers of solar power systems. Dealers have been mandated to take the latter’s services to avail of the subsidy, which is 55-65 per cent of the cost. A solar rooftop system costs Rs 300,000-1,100,000 with battery back-up and Rs 250,000-900,000 without this.
The move comes after the central government discontinued all subsidy and support program for solar energy equipment. There is also currently no subsidy for installing solar rooftops or any other system in commercial establishments. Also, the ministry of new and renewable energy had a ‘channel partner’ scheme under which it enlisted certified companies which could sell solar power systems. This has also been discontinued.