Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy said that efforts & commitment of all stakeholders made Renewable Energy (RE) targets achievable. Shri Goyal was addressing first National Workshop on Rooftop Solar Power here today . On the occasion, Shri Piyush Goyal gave away 41 awards to the best performing Ministries/Departments, State/UT Governments, State Nodal Agencies, State/UT Electricity Regulatory Commissions and Channel Partners during the event. Congratulating the awardees, Shri Goyal said that such awards not only encourage awardees to excel but also inspire the rest of us to put in our best efforts in the cause. 44 Ministries and Departments also presented Commitment Certificates for developing Rooftop Solar (RTS) power. The Minister also launched a mobile app “Surya Mitra” App at the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri P.K. Sinha, Cabinet Secretary, said that the biggest challenge comes from within the sector. He stressed that we have to work out business model in consultation with the regulators which is beneficial for both Discoms and consumers . Shri Sinha said that although involving residential house tops for installing rooftop solar projects will not be that easy but will be worth the effort since it will provide volume to our initiative. Dr. P.K. Mishra, Additional Principal Secretary to Prime Minister said that rooftop solar power is going to play an important role in our efforts towards renewable energy and sustainable energy initiatives. Congratulating the awardees, Dr Mishra said that I am sure that this workshop will provide new insights and will help in redefining new parameters of success in this sector.
Interacting with the stakeholders, Shri Upendra Tripathy, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy told that the Government has received 3200 MW commitment certificates from 44 Ministries and Departments. He also informed about the ten point step by step agenda to encourage rooftop solar power in the country. Around 1400 participants including Secretaries from the Central Government, Chief Secretaries from the State Governments, Power and Urban Development Principal Secretaries of State Governments, State Nodal Agencies, Chiefs of DISCOMs, banking and financial institutions, Channel Partners of rooftop schemes, major solar power developers, international agencies like GIZ, KFW, US Aid, World Bank and other stakeholders across the country attended the Workshop.