The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has notified Scheme Guidelines for implementation of ‘Innovative Projects’ under PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana on 8th October 2024. Under the scheme component ‘Innovative Projects’, Rs 5 billion has been set aside to encourage advancements in rooftop solar technologies, business models, and integration techniques.
The component seeks to identify and support startups, institutions, and industries in piloting new concepts, with a focus on emerging solutions like blockchain-based peer-to-peer solar trading, smart materials, and rooftop solar integrated with electric vehicles and battery storage. To drive this forward, MNRE will invite proposals and encourage joint research and international collaborations. The projects will be judged on the basis of relevance, novelty, feasibility, and societal value.
National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) will serve as the Scheme Implementation Agency (SIA) for the Innovative Projects Component They will regularly monitor and evaluate the projects to ensure timely execution and fund utilization. Selected projects will receive financial assistance of up to 60 per cent of the project cost or Rs 300 million, whichever is lower. Additionally, annual awards for innovation will be granted to encourage further advancements, with prizes ranging from Rs 10 million to Rs 500,000 for innovative projects in rooftop solar.
