Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy, 2014 has been issued in compliance to the announcement made during the Budget Speech 2014-15 to pave the way for establishment of 25000 MW solar capacity in the State.

The main objectives of this policy are, creation of conducive environment for the investors in the State and ensuring power supply to urban and rural areas along with remote/ less populated areas where there is no power supply. Policy also aims at having energy security at the national level and to overcome the challenges of climate change.

Main provisions of New Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy, 2014

• To establish Solar Parks in State Sector, Private Sector and through Public Private Partnership.
• Solar Park of the capacity 500 MW or more to be developed by Joint Venture Companies under Public Private Partnership wherein state Govt will have equity upto 50% (including cost of land).
• Fast track process of approval of Mega Solar Power Projects (500 MW or more) by placing them directly before State Level Empowered Committee headed by Chief Secretary. The benefits/concession available under Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme (RIPS) shall also be available to such Solar Power Projects.
• Establishment of Solar Parks by the Developers on private land and allotment of Govt. land falling within such private land or in the vicinity of such land, as per rules.
• Provision of sub leasing of land by the Solar Park Developers to Solar Power Producers.
• Provision of allotment of Govt. land at DLC rate to Solar Power Producers.
• Rajasthan Tenancy Act and Rajasthan Land Revenue Act are being amended to give rights to Khatedar to set up Solar Power Plant on his Agricultural holding or to sub let it for the purpose of setting up of Solar Power Plants. Besides this, there will be no requirement of land conversion for setting up of Solar Power Plants.
• The provision of allowing farmers to set up Solar Power Plants on their holding or to sub let the land for this purpose, will ensure regular source of income like any other agricultural products. It will result in the improvement of the economic status of the farmers.
• Final approval of the solar power project of capacity upto 10 MW by State Level Screening Committee headed by Energy Secretary.
• Nomination of State Level Facilitator for all projects of capacity above 20 MW.
• Registration / Processing fee for Solar Power Projects will be Rs. 50,000/- per MW subject to maximum of Rs. 30 lac for any project.
• No prior registration required by the companies for participating in bidding process under State or Central Govt. Schemes and only successful bidders shall be required to register with RREC.
• The eligibility criteria of Net-Worth requirement reduced to Rs 1 crore/MW from Rs 3 crore/MW.
• Solar Power Plants of all capacity has been kept under “Green category” by the State Pollution Control Board and also the process of obtaining “Consent to Establish” and “Consent to Operate” has been simplified by making provision of issue of these consents within 15 days.
• Reduction in security amount for the project from Rs. 25 lac per MW to Rs. 10 lac per MW.
• Contribution towards Rajasthan Renewable Energy Development Fund changed to Rs 1 lac/MW per year for the entire life cycle of the project instead of one time amount of Rs 10 lac/MW.
• Proposal of Net metering scheme to promote power generation through Roof top Solar Power Plants.
• About 15,000 Solar Water Pumps have already been installed in the State. To promote the scheme of Solar Water Pump for irrigation, a provision of Rs. 119 Crores has been made in the State budget for the year 2014-15.

A provision of Rs 100 crore has been made in the State budget of 2014-15 for promotion of power supply to remote villages/dhanis through Local Solar grid, Stand alone Solar system and Smart grid system.