Haryana accelerates rooftop solar push with Rs 200 crore fund and battery storage backing

Under the Mhara Gaon Jagmag Gaon scheme, officials reported that over 6,000 villages now receive 24-hour power supply, marking a significant milestone in rural electrification.

By: Express News Service

September 26, 2025 12:30 PM IST

2 min read

The initiative was discussed during a recent meeting of the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) held under the chairmanship of Nand Lal Sharma. (file photo)

To fast-track rooftop solar adoption across the state, electricity authorities in Haryana have proposed a ₹200-crore revolving fund to provide interest-free advances and subsidies for solar installations. In a major policy shift, they also plan to relax the 10 MW cap, which previously limited individual rooftop or distributed solar projects to 10 megawatts. This move aims to unlock larger installations and help Haryana meet its ambitious 2,000 MW solar energy target.

The initiative was discussed during a recent meeting of the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) held under the chairmanship of Nand Lal Sharma.

During the meeting, it was informed that the Union Ministry of Power has approved ₹18 lakh per megawatt-hour (MWh) as Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for a 500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Haryana. These large-scale systems can store electricity—especially from solar and wind—when supply is high and release it during peak demand or low generation periods. The 500 MWh capacity will be shared between DHBVN and DHBVN, the state’s two main power distribution companies.

“Larger battery projects of 1,000 to 2,000 MWh are also under consideration to enhance grid stability and support renewable integration,” said a Commission official.

Chairman Sharma highlighted key challenges including reducing AT&C losses, managing peak-hour demand, integrating renewables, and strengthening consumer grievance redressal. UHBVN and DHBVN reported stand for Aggregate Technical and Commercial losses of 8.75 per cent and 11.13 per cent, respectively, with UHBVN pledging to bring it down to 9 per cent, below HERC’s 10 per cent benchmark.

Under the Mhara Gaon Jagmag Gaon scheme, officials reported that over 6,000 villages now receive 24-hour power supply, marking a significant milestone in rural electrification.

Key attendees included HERC Members Mukesh Garg and Shiv Kumar, Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Managing Director J. Ganesan, UHBVN MD Ashok Kumar Meena, HERC Secretary Prashant Deshta, former HERC Chairman RN Prasar, and Electricity Ombudsman RK Khanna, along with representatives from industry and consumer groups.

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