The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has prescribed the minimal technical requirements and quality standards to be followed for solar photovoltaic panels and other components to be installed under the Off-grid and Decentralised Solar Applications Scheme of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission.
The Ministry has also defined the benchmark costs of solar energy systems and off-grid solar power plants. The benchmark costs include the cost of hardware, transportation, insurance, civil works, installation & commission, annual maintenance contract etc, said the Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah in the Rajya Sabha on August 26.