Uttarakhand HC Rules Against Solar Power Panels on Fields

Under the Grid Interacted Rooftop and Small SPV (solar photovoltaic) Power Plant scheme, the Uttarakhand government is promoting the use of small-scale rooftop solar power plants in the state. The National Solar Mission of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy provides a subsidy of 30% to the applicants.

In an order, the Uttarakhand high court has said that the beneficiaries of the Centre’s rooftop solar energy scheme cannot set up their solar power panels and related equipment in grounds and agricultural fields. However, they can be set up at the ground level in their houses and compounds without any problem.

Lalit Sharma, counsel for the central government, said, “The Centre objected to setting up of such solar projects in open fields and agricultural lands since they were meant for rooftops only.” The directions were issued by a single bench of Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia.

Under the Grid Interacted Rooftop and Small SPV (solar photovoltaic) Power Plant scheme, the Uttarakhand government is promoting the use of small-scale rooftop solar power plants in the state. The National Solar Mission of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy provides a subsidy of 30% to the applicants.

The system works on a net metering basis wherein the beneficiary pays to the utility on net meter reading basis only. Alternatively, two meters can also be installed to major the export and import of power separately, says the scheme.

According to the scheme, ‘The feed-in tariff for the power generated from the Solar Power Plant will be decided by Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) in such a manner that it provides a safeguard to all stakeholders including DISCOMs. The availability of electricity grid near the solar installation is an essential component which needs to be provided by the concerned agencies i.e. UPCL/PTCUL.’