Tripura to install rooftop solar systems in 1.50 lakh poor households

The Tripura government plans to install rooftop solar systems in 1.50 lakh poor households under the PM Suryaghar scheme, generating 150 MW of solar power.

The Tripura government on Wednesday announced that rooftop solar systems would be installed in 1.50 lakh poor households under the PM Suryaghar scheme at a beneficiary contribution of Rs 1,000 each.

If implemented, the initiative is expected to generate 150 MW of solar power, giving a major boost to rural electrification in the northeastern state.

Currently, Tripura produces 11 MW of solar power under the PM Suryaghar scheme.

Of the 17,000 applicants, only 3,500 households have so far installed rooftop solar systems, collectively generating 11 MW of electricity, officials said.

''We have decided to boost solar energy generation across the state. Rooftop solar systems will be installed in 1.50 lakh poor households consuming less than 50 units of electricity per month, with a beneficiary contribution of Rs 1,000,'' Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath told reporters.

''Each household will get a 1 KW solar power system,'' he said.

Nath said the initiative would enable beneficiaries to collectively generate 150 MW of solar power, significantly strengthening the rural electrification drive in the state.

The beneficiaries will be selected by local elected bodies on the basis of actual electricity consumption, he said.

''We have data showing that around 3 lakh consumers use less than 50 units of electricity per month. Out of them, 1.50 lakh consumers will be covered under the initiative,'' the minister said.

He added that the power department has roped in a German company to train solar technicians for maintenance of rooftop solar systems.