Safety Concerns Loom Over State’s Solar Plan Approval
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

Safety Concerns Loom Over State’s Solar Plan Approval

In Karnataka, all new solar rooftop projects, including residential ones, with a capacity exceeding 10 Kilowatts will now require safety approval from the Chief Electrical Inspector to the Government of the State (CEIG).

A circular issued indicates that CEIG will henceforth be the authority responsible for granting electrical safety approvals. Previously, safety approvals for solar rooftops were issued by ESCOM officials. The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) had withdrawn the requirement for safety approval for smaller projects in 2016 to encourage rooftop solar installations. Apartment complexes have expressed concerns that this new statutory requirement will complicate the process and negatively affect the solar rooftop program.

Satish Mallya, Vice President of the Bangalore Apartments Federation (BAF), remarked that until now, rooftop solar systems up to one MegaWatt capacity were exempt from obtaining safety approval. He noted that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had established guidelines to ensure safety for lower-capacity projects. Mallya expressed concern that CEIG’s safety approval process would be cumbersome and could hinder the rooftop solar program, as most residential complexes would now need to obtain this approval.

Experts have commented that while certain safety standards must be met for projects below one MegaWatt capacity, ESCOM engineers have adequately addressed these concerns thus far, and the system has functioned effectively.

Ramesh Shivanna, President of the Karnataka Renewable Energy Systems Manufacturers Association (KRESMA), explained that the new procedure for obtaining safety approval will involve a physical inspection of the project site and checks on solar panels, electric connections, and other aspects. He criticized the new requirement as making the process cumbersome for residential complexes, educational institutions, and MSMEs pursuing solar rooftops. Shivanna stated that KRESMA plans to appeal to CEIG to retract this requirement and that they will advocate for maintaining the current system managed by DISCOM engineers.

In Karnataka, all new solar rooftop projects, including residential ones, with a capacity exceeding 10 Kilowatts will now require safety approval from the Chief Electrical Inspector to the Government of the State (CEIG). A circular issued indicates that CEIG will henceforth be the authority responsible for granting electrical safety approvals. Previously, safety approvals for solar rooftops were issued by ESCOM officials. The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) had withdrawn the requirement for safety approval for smaller projects in 2016 to encourage rooftop solar installations. Apartment complexes have expressed concerns that this new statutory requirement will complicate the process and negatively affect the solar rooftop program. Satish Mallya, Vice President of the Bangalore Apartments Federation (BAF), remarked that until now, rooftop solar systems up to one MegaWatt capacity were exempt from obtaining safety approval. He noted that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had established guidelines to ensure safety for lower-capacity projects. Mallya expressed concern that CEIG’s safety approval process would be cumbersome and could hinder the rooftop solar program, as most residential complexes would now need to obtain this approval. Experts have commented that while certain safety standards must be met for projects below one MegaWatt capacity, ESCOM engineers have adequately addressed these concerns thus far, and the system has functioned effectively. Ramesh Shivanna, President of the Karnataka Renewable Energy Systems Manufacturers Association (KRESMA), explained that the new procedure for obtaining safety approval will involve a physical inspection of the project site and checks on solar panels, electric connections, and other aspects. He criticized the new requirement as making the process cumbersome for residential complexes, educational institutions, and MSMEs pursuing solar rooftops. Shivanna stated that KRESMA plans to appeal to CEIG to retract this requirement and that they will advocate for maintaining the current system managed by DISCOM engineers.

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Right-of-Way Issues Delay 14 Interstate Transmission Projects

Fourteen interstate transmission system (ISTS) projects are facing delays due to prolonged right-of-way (RoW) issues, primarily driven by demands for higher compensation than state-approved rates. Additional challenges, including delays in forest clearances, have further stalled progress, according to Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik. Of the 14 affected projects, eight are being executed by POWERGRID, while six are handled by private companies, including Adani, Sterlite, Tata Power, and ReNew. These projects span multiple states. To address compensation concerns, the Ministry of Power ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

NHPC Invites Bids for 2.56 MW Rooftop Solar Projects in Nagaland

NHPC has issued a tender for 2.56 MW rooftop solar projects on government buildings in Nagaland under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. The deadline for bid submission is April 21, 2025, with bid opening scheduled for April 23. Bidders must submit an earnest money deposit of Rs 2.5 million and a performance security fee of Rs 2,475 per kW, along with a bid document procurement fee of Rs 5,000. The scope of work includes design, engineering, equipment supply, erection, testing, commissioning, and operation & maintenance for 25 years. Successful bidders must also obtain net metering approv..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

SWELECT Wins Rs 2.9 Billion via Private Placement with India Infradebt

SWELECT Group has raised Rs 2.9 billion through non-convertible debentures (NCDs) in a private placement with India Infradebt. The funding, backed by a portion of its solar power assets, has released Rs 2.6 billion in cash collaterals, which will be reinvested to expand its independent power producer (IPP) portfolio to 1 GW by 2026-27. SWELECT Energy Systems, the group's solar module manufacturing arm, has also secured orders exceeding 150 MW for its TOPCon bifacial solar modules. In December 2024, the company proposed raising Rs 1.38 billion by issuing 1,385 NCDs with a face value of Rs 1 mil..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?