Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Management Centre
Government of NCT of Delhi

What is rooftop solar?

• Rooftop Solar comprises solar photovoltaic (PV) panels along with allied electrical and safety equipment (such as inverters, cables, switch gears, etc) are typically installed on building rooftops. Such buildings can be residential and commercial and industrial in nature, in addition to government buildings, educational and medical institutes, among others.
• The solar panels are able to convert the sun’s radiation to electricity which can power lighting, water pumping, battery charging, etc. In grid-connected rooftop solar modules, any excess electricity generated after meeting the consumer’s demand can be exported to the grid(Discom network) in return for net metering benefits.
• Solar vendors offer rooftop solar PV modules largely in two configurations in the Indian market:
  • Polycrystalline solar panels: More popular and economical
  • Monocrystalline solar panels: More efficient

Technical specifications for consumers and vendors:

• MNRE’s Technical Specifications for Rooftop Solar Plants Installed under Simplified Procedure
• CEA’sTechnical Standards for Connectivity of the Distributed Generation Resources Standards, 2013 with its 2019 amendment
• DERC’s Net Metering Regulations 2014 and Guidelines