NEW DELHI: Residents of Delhi now have the opportunity to go solar and save on electricity bills as the Delhi government unveils its latest initiative, the Delhi Solar Policy 2024. This policy allows homeowners to install solar panels on their rooftops, not only ensuring zero electricity bills but also enabling them to earn money.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the government has revised the previous State Solar Policy of 2016, which saw 1500 MW of solar power capacity installed in Delhi. The new 2024 policy aims to ramp up solar power capacity to 4500 megawatts by 2027.

Speaking to the press, CM Kejriwal highlighted the success of the 2016 solar policy in laying the groundwork for solar adoption in Delhi. He emphasized its progressive nature and the significant contribution of rooftop solar panels in generating 250 MW of electricity, alongside 1250 MW sourced from outside Delhi. This combined effort resulted in 1500 MW of solar power being available, helping to reduce air pollution in the city.

The objectives of the Delhi Solar Policy 2024, according to Kejriwal, are twofold: to combat air pollution and mitigate inflation by reducing electricity bills for non-subsidized residential consumers to zero and for commercial/industrial consumers to 50 percent of their current bill.

Joining CM Kejriwal at the press conference were Power Minister Atishi and Jasmine Shah, Vice Chairperson of the Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi.

Currently, the Delhi government provides fully subsidized electricity up to 200 units to residents, while those consuming between 201 to 400 units receive a 50 percent subsidy. However, under the new solar policy, residents who opt for rooftop solar panels will enjoy zero electricity bills, regardless of their consumption level.

"This is the most significant benefit of the policy," Kejriwal concluded, underlining the pivotal role of solar energy in driving sustainability and reducing dependency on traditional power sources.

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