Solar power in individual households - a scheme that Bihar Renewable Energy Development Agency (BREDA) will implement - is stuck.

The government, which has provided Rs 241 crore for the project, is awaiting the release of central funds for launching its grid-connected rooftop schemes that aims to promote use of solar power in homes. 'We have already sent the details to the Union power ministry and are awaiting the sanctioning of central funds after which the tendering process for selecting agencies to implement the scheme will start,' a senior BREDA official told The Telegraph.

The Centre and the state will equally bear the subsidy that has to be given to the individuals or institutions opting for the scheme.

The official attributed the delay in release of central funds to some changes in the administrative set-up there but added that it was likely to be released soon. 'The Centre has appreciated our efforts on this front as it entails promotion of renewable energy. We hope the central share for this scheme comes within a month,' added the official.

North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited and South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited, through which the new system would be implemented, have moved their respective proposals to Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission, seeking clearance. The scheme talks of providing a system to supply power to distribution companies in case of non-use of power generated through solar rooftop for which they would get money as per rates.

'Berc is likely to start public hearing for our proposals soon after which it would give final approval to our proposal with or without changes,' said a source in the SBPDCL.

He said no change was likely in the proposals submitted to Berc given the fact that no change had been done with the tariff system. According to the scheme details, the project has a cost component of Rs 75,000 for setting up each micro solar power plant generating 1 kilo watt (KW) of power on rooftop.

Those opting for the scheme will have to pay half the cost in 60 instalments of Rs 625 each, while the Centre and the state will bear the remaining cost in equal proportion. In lieu of this payment, the individual would get 1KW of power per month, which is equivalent to 120 units of electricity. The user will get this much of electricity free.

By the average power rate of Rs 5.39 per unit for domestic urban consumer, the power generated by the solar plant will be worth Rs 646.80, whereas one would pay just Rs 625 towards instalment of plant cost. After 60 months, even this cost will go, allowing the user to get the power for free.

In case of institutions and social organisations, the government will provide 25 per cent of the cost as subsidy, whereas commercial or industrial units will not be entitled for any subsidy.

The scheme also has a buyback component . If an individual does not consume power generated on a rooftop, the distribution companies will buy back the unused power at the current tariff.

The distribution companies will set up a two-way special electricity meter, which would allow flow of electricity both ways - from distribution company to consumer and from consumer to the company. The meter would also ensure that power from the distribution company is supplied to the consumer only if the daily quota of power generated by the rooftop plant is consumed. In case of non-use of power generated at rooftops, the same will be supplied to the distribution company by the same meter.