Bihar Begins Implementation Of 275 MW Rooftop Solar Programme
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

Bihar Begins Implementation Of 275 MW Rooftop Solar Programme

The Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) has approved tariffs for a 275 megawatt (MW) rooftop solar programme covering around 250,000 Kutir Jyoti consumers under the PM Surya Ghar scheme. The initiative will be implemented through a utility-led aggregation model managed by the Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited and contracts have been awarded to multiple developers. The state government aims to complete installations by 30 November.

The utility-led approach shifts procurement responsibility to distribution companies and simplifies access for households. Systems will be supplied with no upfront payment and developers will recover investment over a 10-year period under a RESCO arrangement. The tariff is intended to reduce the subsidy burden while expanding clean power access for low-income homes.

Deployment will cover about 0.25 million (0.25 mn) rooftops across cities, towns and villages and each installation will present distinct technical and maintenance needs. Developers must deliver thousands of systems within tight timelines, manage dispersed operations and handle consumer complaints. Operational risks such as payment delays and elevated maintenance costs could undermine project viability.

An implementation framework should define responsibilities of distribution companies, developers and consumers throughout the project lifecycle. Standard timelines for installation, inspection, maintenance and grievance redressal will reduce disputes and provide greater certainty to stakeholders. A transparent payment mechanism is essential to ensure timely compensation for developers.

Robust last-mile support is needed, including a network of trained local technicians, electricians, self-help group members and entrepreneurs to undertake routine inspections and coordinate repairs with developers. Consumers require simple guidance on system operation, generation monitoring and fault reporting while distribution staff and local contractors need capacity building. The programme is expected to generate around 325 mn units of electricity annually and help the state meet renewable targets and reduce subsidy expenditure. A director at Dabun Private Ltd indicated that Bihar could set a national benchmark if execution, after-sales service and collaboration among government, DISCOMs and developers are effective.

The Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) has approved tariffs for a 275 megawatt (MW) rooftop solar programme covering around 250,000 Kutir Jyoti consumers under the PM Surya Ghar scheme. The initiative will be implemented through a utility-led aggregation model managed by the Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited and contracts have been awarded to multiple developers. The state government aims to complete installations by 30 November. The utility-led approach shifts procurement responsibility to distribution companies and simplifies access for households. Systems will be supplied with no upfront payment and developers will recover investment over a 10-year period under a RESCO arrangement. The tariff is intended to reduce the subsidy burden while expanding clean power access for low-income homes. Deployment will cover about 0.25 million (0.25 mn) rooftops across cities, towns and villages and each installation will present distinct technical and maintenance needs. Developers must deliver thousands of systems within tight timelines, manage dispersed operations and handle consumer complaints. Operational risks such as payment delays and elevated maintenance costs could undermine project viability. An implementation framework should define responsibilities of distribution companies, developers and consumers throughout the project lifecycle. Standard timelines for installation, inspection, maintenance and grievance redressal will reduce disputes and provide greater certainty to stakeholders. A transparent payment mechanism is essential to ensure timely compensation for developers. Robust last-mile support is needed, including a network of trained local technicians, electricians, self-help group members and entrepreneurs to undertake routine inspections and coordinate repairs with developers. Consumers require simple guidance on system operation, generation monitoring and fault reporting while distribution staff and local contractors need capacity building. The programme is expected to generate around 325 mn units of electricity annually and help the state meet renewable targets and reduce subsidy expenditure. A director at Dabun Private Ltd indicated that Bihar could set a national benchmark if execution, after-sales service and collaboration among government, DISCOMs and developers are effective.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Hindalco Baphlimali Mine Secures ASI Certification

Hindalco Industries has announced that Utkal Alumina International Limited’s Baphlimali Bauxite Mine in Rayagada district, Odisha, has achieved Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Performance Standard V3.1 certification.With this achievement, Baphlimali has become the first bauxite mining operation in India to secure ASI Performance Standard V3.1 certification.The certification covers planning, mining, onsite crushing and conveyor transportation of bauxite from the mine, which has an annual production capacity of 8.5 million tonnes. The mine supplies bauxite to Utkal Alumina’s refinery ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Hindustan Zinc Builds Young Leadership Pipeline

Hindustan Zinc is strengthening its next-generation leadership pipeline, with 10% of the company’s leaders now under the age of 35.The company said more than 62% of its workforce is under 35, while its gender diversity ratio stands at 26.3%. Young professionals are taking on roles across mining, manufacturing, technology, sustainability and business leadership.Over the past two fiscal years, Hindustan Zinc has hired nearly 700 young professionals. This includes 335 campus recruits in FY26 through its VLDP, GET, PGET and MT programmes from leading institutions across India.Amarendu Prakash, C..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Vedanta Metal Bazaar Expands to International Markets

Vedanta Aluminium Metal Limited has expanded its flagship digital e-commerce platform, Vedanta Metal Bazaar (VMB), to international markets, enabling overseas customers to order and buy aluminium products online.The platform will now serve customers across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas. International buyers will gain access to more than 1,000 aluminium product variants along with simplified price booking, live LME-linked hedging and digital transaction management.Vedanta Metal Bazaar processed transactions worth nearly $4.1 billion, or over Rs 38,000 crore, in FY26 and fulfilled more t..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement