“We are currently waiting for the government to approve the delivery mechanism,” Rajiv Munakarmi, energy officer at the Alternative Energy Promotion Center told myrepublica.com. “We will start distributing the subsidy soon after the process for doling out the money is approved.”[break]
In the initial phase, the government plans to cover 100,000 urban households that have access to the power grids of the Nepal Electricity Authority or that of any other electricity supplier. This number will be gradually increased to one million.
“Our basic aim is to create an environment where people do not have to stay in the darkness during load-shedding hours. We also believe people should be able to listen to the radio, at least, so that they are not denied access to information,” Munakarmi said.
As per the plan, the households applying for the grant amount would need to install a solar panel of at least 20 watts. It would have to come with an appropriate battery and charge controller, and would have to be able to light at least three bulbs and power a radio. A set such as the kind that the government has in mind costs around Rs 17,000 in the market.
However, those who are currently using inverters to light their houses would need to buy a solar panel of at least 50 watts—which costs around Rs 19,000—and a charge controller—which costs around Rs 1,000. All this equipment would need to be purchased from the 26 companies selected by the government to sell home solar systems.
In order to qualify for the subsidy, house owners would need to submit copies of householders’ citizenship certificates and the meter-registration card given by their electricity supplier. The original copy of the last cash receipt given by the electricity supplier for payment of the utility bill would also have to be submitted.
In the case of tenants, a letter from the ward office or the police office, verifying the renter as a resident of a particular area, copies of citizenship certificates, meter-registration cards, a recent cash receipt given by the electricity supplier and tax receipts of rental income would also need to be submitted.
"All the necessary documents should be submitted at one of the 26 companies selected by the government. The companies will deduct Rs 10,000 from the bill for customers who are qualified for the grant amount," Munakarmi said, adding, “The subsidy will be given on a first-come-first-serve basis.”
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