The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) is implementing a Programme on “Off-Grid and Decentralized Solar Applications” for promoting use of solar power through solar home lights, solar street lights, power plants, solar pumps and mini micro grids to meet the energy requirements of the rural areas of the country. Central financial assistance equivalent to 30% of the system cost is provided under the scheme to encourage the people in the remote/ rural areas adopt these systems to meet their energy requirements. This was stated by Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today. The MNRE is also implementing a scheme “Small Wind Energy and Hybrid system (SWES)” wherein both the solar and wind energy is effectively utilized for power generation in the remote areas by installing hybrid system consisting of both Solar Photovoltaic and aero generator / small wind turbine technologies. Central Financial assistance of Rs one lakh/KW is provided for community users. Harnessing of Solar and Wind Energy in Rural Areas
The Minister further stated that the MNRE provides financial supports for promoting biogas based power units (off-grid) specifically in small capacity range of 3KW –250KW in dairies , goshalas, Farms etc. based on availability of animal wastes and wastes from forestry etc. The MNRE is also implementing National Biogas and Manure Management Programme in rural areas of the country, wherein family type biogas plants are installed to meet cooking and motive power requirements. Under this programme subsidy is provided based on the size of the plant and its location either in special category states or in other states, the Minister added. Harnessing of Solar and Wind Energy in Rural Areas
