SARAL – State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index

SARAL – State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index

Context:

Launched by Shri R.K. Singh, Union Minister of State for Power & New & Renewable Energy (IC) and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, on 21 August 2019 during the Review Planning and Monitoring (RPM) Meeting.
Objective: To incentivize rooftop solar adoption by creating healthy competition among Indian states.

Key Highlights:

State Rankings (SARAL 2019):
- 1st: Karnataka
- 2nd: Telangana
- 3rd: Gujarat
- 4th: Andhra Pradesh
Purpose of SARAL:
- Assess state-level attractiveness for rooftop solar deployment.
- Encourage adoption of best practices by lower-ranking states.
- Facilitate investments and accelerate sector growth.
Collaborators:
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
- Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation (SSEF)
- Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM)
- Ernst & Young (EY)
Parameters Evaluated in SARAL:
- Robustness of policy framework
- Implementation environment
- Investment climate
- Consumer experience
- Business ecosystem
Rooftop Solar Targets (National):
- 175 GW renewable energy capacity by 2022
- 100 GW solar power by 2022
- 40 GW expected from grid-connected solar rooftops
- Emphasis on achieving grid parity for commercial, industrial, and residential consumers
RPM Meeting Key Points:
- Chaired by Shri R.K. Singh
- Focus on making power sector sustainable and viable for 24/7 supply
- Discussed schemes: DDUGJY, IPDS, UDAY, rooftop solar deployment, and other sector issues
- Attended by Secretaries of Power & MNRE, senior officials, CMDs & MDs of Discoms, and state energy representatives

Significance for UPSC:

SARAL highlights government efforts to encourage renewable energy at the state level.
Demonstrates policy measures, public-private collaboration, and performance benchmarking.
Important for questions on renewable energy targets, rooftop solar, and state-level energy initiatives.

Updated - 21 AUG 2019 6:44PM | PIB