PUNE: While the use of solar energy is increasing steadily at different levels like domestic, commercial and industries, the changing policies of State government have been hindering its wider use. 

To promote the use of solar energy, the State government should ease the application process, stated the Solar Energy Association.

“Mahadiscom aka Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co Ltd (MSEDCL), which manages the applications and gives permissions for installation of solar panels for domestic or commercial usage, takes a minimum of 45 days and maximum of six months to complete the procedure. This is very time consuming,” said Swapnil Bhate, a member of the association.

Bhate also stated that the Central government which has deployed DISCOM, a government agency to take care of all procedures should speed up the procedures so that more and more people can make the use of solar energy.

“Also, the State government launches the subsidy policy by or around September which remains valid till March (the financial year end). Hence, technically, a domestic user or commercial user can benefit from the policies for only six months. These policies are revised every year. Therefore, the policies need to be declared immediately after the financial year is over. So that users can start applying for it and can easily complete all the procedures,” added Bhate.