[Answered] How Rooftop Solar Photovoltaics (RTPV) can be helpful in aiding poverty alleviation?

Rooftop solar installations can be installed on the roofs of buildings. They fall under two brackets: commercial and residential. To generate solar power by installing solar panels on the roof of the houses, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing Grid-connected Rooftop Solar Scheme (Phase II).

Rooftop Solar Photovoltaics (RTPV) can be helpful in aiding poverty alleviation in following manner:

• It has the potential to be a hugely impactful intervention to aid poverty alleviation by converting free sunlight falling on rooftops and courtyards into income for households. For instance, in China, RTPV is one of the identified 10 initiatives rolled out by the government to lift rural households out of poverty.
• Rooftop solar has the great benefit of being able to provide electricity to those areas that are not yet connected to the grid like remote locations and areas where the terrain makes it difficult to set up power stations and lay power lines.
• They offer cost savings. The tariff rates for rooftop solar in comparison to industrial and commercial tariff rates are cheaper by 17% and 27% respectively. For building owners, rooftop solar installations can even help in cutting down electricity bills. Rooftop panels supply electricity to buildings, so they need to buy less electricity from the grid thereby saving on energy costs.
• Low-income household with limited roof space may receive a benefit from the “free” sunlight.
• Local farmers could also earn additional income by leasing out non-arable lands or maintaining the solar farms.
• Each household will use the solar electricity generated for their own purposes. This will reduce energy bills and any surplus electricity will be sold back to the grid.

The Rooftop Solar Scheme needs easy financing, unrestricted net metering, and an easy regulatory process. Public Financial Institutions and other key lenders could be mandated to lend to the segment.