Union Minister of State (IC) Power and New & Renewable Energy, R.K. Singh answering a question in Lok Sabha said MNRE is providing subsidy up to 30% of the benchmark cost of the solar water pumps to the farmers under Off-grid and Decentralized Solar PV Applications Programme. Till date over 1.85 lakh solar water pumps have been reported installed in the country under the Programme.
The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy provides financial support to various R&D/academic institutions for research in the field of solar, wind, biogas, biofuel, storage, etc. for technology development and demonstration leading to commercialization.
The minister also informed that a comprehensive policy and guidelines for research, development and demonstration (RD&D) for new and renewable energy sector are in place.
Under these guidelines Central Financial assistance up to 50% of the project cost can be provided for the projects that involve partnership with industry / civil society. However, for proposals from academic institutions, Government/non-profit research organizations and NGOs, financial assistance up to total project cost can be provided.
He said MNRE sanctioned 112 R&D Projects to various R&D/Academic institutions, industries, etc. with total financial support of Rs. 523.43 crore in renewable energy sector in the country during the 12th Plan Period.