solar is subsidized in india for households and is probably the cheapest in the world.<p>5Kwh ongrid system- with panels + on grid inverter + cabling + installation+ reverse meter + certification + support costs INR 110K or US $ 1294. This is the amount a house has to pay to get everything ready.<p>You pay a "bank draft" in the name of the department responsible and documents, identity proof and electricity bill and they assign a random dealer out of pool of resellers who does the job. You don't pay the reseller anything, they are paid by the department at their own schedule.
The upside to this is, when we did it a few years ago, it took 14 days from document submission to our plant generating electricity.<p>EDIT: we were unhappy with on-grid system which meant during the day if grid went out, we couldnt use the solar energy so we replaced our inverter with a off-grid inverter without batteries. Now, we can use the power without sending to grid if grid is disconnected. no batteries so lesser cost.
The inverter did cost us around US $ 1000 but it was worth the extra cash
Does anyone know if they are looking into raised solar panels that can be farmed under?
I know India is already building panels over canals. Seems like you can have solar in harmony with the local community if you try just a bit.
Solar has gotten so cheap that to write a "balanced" article you need to complain that it's not solved caste-based discrimination and sexism.