The Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy has unveiled the Standards & Labelling Programme for solar panels. The Ministry of Power (MoP) has issued a press release dated 20th October, 2023 on this occasion.
The initiative is set to make it easier for citizens to make informed decisions when purchasing and deploying solar photovoltaic modules, commonly known as solar panels.
The star labelling scheme, prepared by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), for PV modules will be in effect from January 1, 2024, until December 31, 2025. During this period, there will be no labelling fee, making it accessible to a broader audience.
The primary objective of this program is twofold; firstly, it aims to establish performance standards that will enable customers to have a clear understanding of the cost savings and energy efficiency of solar panels. Secondly, it aligns with the government’s broader commitment to enhancing the share of renewable energy and reducing the emission intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030.
The Minister has emphasized that the Standards & Labelling Programme is in the public interest, as it provides transparency and empowers common citizens interested in installing solar panels.
Furthermore, he also explained that besides serving the public interest, this programme is a crucial part of the government’s focus on energy transition, with the goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 30 million tonnes per annum by 2030.
Solar panel manufacturers are called to voluntarily register under the star labelling program. The programme will become mandatory after the initial two years.
Additionally, the Union Power Secretary explained that Star Labelling Programme will help consumers differentiate among various solar panel models and make informed choices. “At present, the citizen has no clue which product is good. The program will help the citizen to make the right choices.”
The government is determined to expand the adoption of solar rooftops and encourages ordinary consumers to play a significant role in this endeavor, as the G20 Leaders have mandated doubling energy efficiency by 2030.
Furthermore, the Director General of BEE pointed out the expected growth in solar PV modules and improvements in efficiency. The program anticipates a 2% enhancement in Solar PV module efficiency, leading to an increase in electricity generation by 33GWh/year and offsetting approximately 27,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually.
