Due to lack of availability of solar equipment on time, there is inordinate delay in implementation of Central schemes related to rooftop solar plants and other projects in the State as well.

Hyderabad: With very few solar power equipment manufacturing units present in the State, solar modules and other equipment have become costly leading to a simultaneous increase in the cost of installation of solar panels in the State.

Since a majority of the manufacturing units related to solar power equipment are located in other States, the consumers not only get equipment at a higher price, but also there is a delay in executing solar projects in the State. Due to lack of availability of solar equipment on time, there is inordinate delay in implementation of Central schemes related to rooftop solar plants and other projects in the State as well.

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According to the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) list of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Gujarat is the leading solar module manufacturing State with 32 solar enlisted module manufacturers, whereas Telangana has just six manufacturing units. As there are very few manufacturing units in the State, the suppliers and power plant executing companies have to heavily depend on companies having manufacturing units in other States. Due to this the cost of solar equipment has gone up in Telangana, leading to an increase in the cost of installation of solar panels.

The demand for solar power had been growing rapidly in the State and to meet the demand, a large number of solar photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing plants were needed in the State, hence the government should take initiative to set up solar equipment manufacturing units in the State,Telangana State Solar Energy Association president B Ashok Kumar Goud said.

“If solar energy equipment manufacturing units are set up in the State, the demand of our State could be easily met. Consumers will get the equipment at affordable prices. The State government will also get a good income in the form of GST and local youth will get jobs either directly or indirectly,” he said.

Meanwhile, Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation (TSREDCO) officials informed that the State was taking steps to invite big companies to set up their manufacturing units in the State. “Efforts are being made to attract companies involved in solar equipment manufacturing. CM and Deputy CM have been encouraging industries to set up units in Telangana,”the officials said.