The Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CODISSIA) has sought a special programme on the lines of PM Surya Ghar scheme to promote rooftop solar energy installation in Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in the manufacturing sector.

The outgoing president of the Association, M. Karthikeyan, submitted a proposal in this regard recently to Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan. He also sent an appeal to the Prime Minister in this regard.

According to Mr. Karthikeyan, the scheme should encourage MSMEs to go for one KW to 150 KW of rooftop solar energy plants. With the West Asia war leading to fuel crisis for the MSMEs and increasing power tariffs, rooftop solar energy plants will give financial relief to the MSMEs.

He said the Union government should come out with a scheme, extending 25 % capital subsidy for such projects and cover the installation costs too. The MSMEs should be able to borrow the remaining amount from banks that can be repayed in minimum seven years and should get 4 % interest subvention. The loans should be collateral-free, he said.

“The MSMEs are already struggling with geopolitical uncertainties, supply chain disruptions, high energy costs, limited access to affordable finance, delayed payments, shortage of manpower, and inadequate technology and testing infrastructure. Further increase in raw material prices are severely impacting the MSMEs,” he said.

Hence, the Association has proposed the scheme to promote installation of rooftop solar energy. With increase of 8 % in power demand every year, the government should consider the proposal instead of investing in large power projects that require high capital investment. Investing in rooftop solar provides MSMEs with a long-term and permanent solution to rising electricity costs, he said.