The Projects under these guidelines fall within two broad categories i.e. (a) the projects connected to HT voltage at distribution network (i.e. below 33 kV) (b) the projects connected to LT voltage i.e. 400 volts (3-phase) or 230 volts (1-phase) and.

Accordingly, the projects have been divided into following two 

Category 1: Projects connected at HT level (below 33 kV) of distribution networkThe Projects with proposed installed capacity of minimum 100 kW and upto 2 MW and connected at below 33 kV shall fall within this category.  

Category 2: Projects connected at LT level (400 Volts-3ph or 230 Volts-1ph)The Projects with proposed installed capacity of less than 100 kW and connected to the grid at LT level (400 Volts for 3-phase or 230 V for 1-phase) shall fall within this category. 

Capacity allocation to different projectsIt is proposed to develop solar capacity of 100MW under these guidelines. This capacity addition shall be achieved by developing the projects in the above two categories: Projects connected at HT level of distribution with installed capacity of 100 kW and upto 2 MW -  Capacity Limit 90MW Projects connected at LT level of distribution network with installed capacity lower than 100 kW - Capacity Limit 10MW 

Generation Based Incentive (GBI) will be payable to the distribution utility for power purchased from solar power project including captive consumption Solar Power generated (to be measured on AC side of the inverter). The GBI shall be equal to the difference between the tariff determined by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) and the Base Rate, which will be Rs 5.50 per kWh (for Financial year 2010-11), which shall be escalated by 3% every year. 

Pre-Registration with the State Competent The Project Proponent fulfilling the 'Eligibility Criteria' shall submit Application for Pre- Registration to their respective State Competent Authority at the State level, along with requisite supporting documents to establish fulfillment of Eligibility Conditions.

The process of Pre-Registration at State level by Competent Authorities may remain open until Programme Administrator announces applications aggregating to 110 MW capacities. The State Competent Authority shall issue 'Certificate of Pre-Registration' to projects aggregating to not more than 20 MW Capacity in their respective states.

Upon pre-registration with the State Competent Authority, the Project Proponentshall enter into MoU with the concerned distribution Utility for sale/deemed sale of power from the proposed project. 

The date for commencement of Registration process for initial short listing by Programme Administrator shall be July 15, 2010. The initial shortlist will be announced on 16 August 2010.  

All applications fulfilling four conditions viz. (a) Issuance of relevant Tariff Order from  concerned SERC (b) MOU with Utility, (c) Pre-Registration Certificate from State Competent Authority and (d) Commitment Guarantee of requisite amount shall be eligible for registration with the Programme Administrator. 

The Project Proponents shall submit applications for registration with Programme Administrator under the 'RPSSGP'. Programme Administrator shall provide format for application. The Application for Registration shall be accompanied by a copy of MOU the Project Proponent and the local Distribution Utility and Certificate of Pre-Registration issued by the State Competent Authority.

The applications from the Project Proponents from any State shall be considered only if the concerned SERC has issued the order determining tariff for rooftop/small solar generating systems for purchase of electricity by the distribution utilities in that State. 

The Project Proponent shall also provide Commitment Guarantee for an amount of Rs 10 Lakh/MW on a pro-rata basis, in the form of an irrevocable Bank Guarantee from any commercial bank, valid for period of 24 months for solar PV and 30 months for solar thermal from date of filing application, along with the Application for consideration for registration the Programme Administrator. In order to facilitate the process of application registration, it is envisaged that a web based application portal shall be developed. 

Milestone-1: Signing of PPA with the concerned Distribution Utility

Milestone-2: Project Commissioning 

Only those projects, which are shortlisted, shall for considered during subsequent process for Registration. No new projects will be considered for registration to even if the project has achieved multiple milestones subsequently. 

Upon accomplishment of Milestone-1, a Registration Certificate and letter confirming eligibility to avail GBI for the Project shall be issued by Programme Administrator toProject Proponent not later than one month from the intimation by Project Proponent accomplishment of Milestone-1 (i.e. execution of PPA), to facilitate accomplishment of Financial Closure, subject to the condition that Project Proponent submits Additional Commitment Guarantee for an amount of Rs 40 Lakh/MW on a pro-rata basis, in form of an irrevocable Bank Guarantee. 

After fulfillment of requisite conditions for registration, the applicant shall submit an online application through a web based portal maintained by the Programme Administrator. The web based portal system would generate a unique project code for each application confirming submission of application for final registration with system generated date and time of submission.  

The: issuance of Registration Certificate and letter confirming applicability of GBI for the Project shall be undertaken on a first-come-first- served basis until cumulative capacity of projects under Category-1 reaches 90 MW. The Programme Administrator shall ensure that final registration of Projects shall normally not exceed 20 MW. 

The Project Proponent shall accomplish Milestone-2 (Project Commissioning) within twelve months in case of Solar PV projects and twenty four months in case of Solar Thermal from date of issuance of Registration Certificate. 

In case of delay in accomplishment of Milestone-2 (Project Commissioning) 20% of BG shall be invoked. Delay in considered accomplishing Milestone-2 within two months from stipulated time limit, another 20% of BG shall be invoked by Programme Administrator.

Failure to accomplish Milestone-2 within six months beyond stipulated time shall disqualify the Project Proponent from further participating in the Programmeand the Programme Administrator shall invoke all the BGs.