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MNRE’s Benchmark Solar Prices Fall Short of Market Reality
Mar 05, 2025
The MNRE’s benchmark pricing for residential rooftop solar—Rs50,000/kW for the first 2 kW and Rs45,000/kW for the next 1 kW—is facing industry-wide criticism for being unrealistically low.
Findings from SaurEnergy Investigation
- Not a single vendor was willing to execute projects at Rs50,000/kW.
- Lowest quoted price: Rs58,500/kW.
- Highest quoted price: Rs84,000/kW.
Why This Matters:
- Quality Risks: Unrealistically low benchmarks push vendors to cut corners, compromising safety and performance.
- Industry Distrust: If rates don’t reflect market reality, it discourages participation in PM Surya Ghar Yojana and similar schemes.
- Sustainability Concerns: Underpricing could slow down India’s rooftop solar adoption, affecting national renewable energy targets.
The industry is urging MNRE to revise benchmark pricing to align with real-world costs, ensuring fair pricing, quality installations, and long-term sustainability.