Solar PV systems: Soon, 151 rural houses to be powered by the Sun in Goa

The state government has issued a work order to Convergence Energy Services Limited for commissioning of solar PV systems at 151 households in Sanguem, Quepem, Sattari and Canacona to provide electricity with comprehensive maintenance contract for five years under the Remote Village Electrification Programme (RVE).
As per the cabinet decision, the work order is issued for the tender to design, manufacture, supply, install, test and commission a 500 Wp Solar condition system at 151 households, at the rate of Rs 43,000 each and six home lighting systems at the rate of Rs 20,000 each in Goa with comprehensive maintenance contract for five years under RVE.
“The work should be completed within 120 days from the date of issue of this order. The warranty/guarantee for the systems shall be five years from the date of commissioning,” Sanjeev Joglekar, member secretary, Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) said.
He said that the special purpose vehicle (SPV) module shall be guaranteed life of 25 years from the date of commissioning.
A cabinet note said the programme aims to bring electricity, through renewable energy sources, to un-electrified remote villages, hamlets and wards where grid connectivity is either not feasible or not cost-effective.
“Keeping in view the role of electricity in human and socio-economic development, this scheme is formulated to ensure last-mile connectivity and electricity connections to all remaining unelectrified households in the state. This scheme is therefore formulated in order to fulfill the government’s target of 100% electrification in the state,” the note further said.
Under the scheme, 100% financial assistance will be provided to households, with an upper limit of Rs 90,000 per household, for a 500 Wp solar system. Each household will be charged monthly electricity charges, as determined by the government, depending on the number of units consumed. This amount will be used to create a village-wise or hamlet-wise corpus fund which will then be used to undertake maintenance of the systems after the expiry of the AMC period.