Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera announced a revised payment system for rooftop solar panels and other renewable energy projects, effective from July 1 this year. The payment method for projects initiated before this date remains unchanged.
The new 20-year fixed tariff for rooftop solar panel projects is Rs. 27.06 per unit for installations up to 500 kilowatts and Rs. 23.18 per unit for projects above 500 kilowatts. For ground-mounted solar panel projects, the fixed tariff is Rs. 25.48 per unit for 20 years. Small hydro power plants will receive Rs. 30.53 per unit, wind power projects Rs. 29.86 per unit, and biomass power generation projects Rs. 52.77 per unit.
A payment system for renewable energy projects below 10 megawatts, including rooftop solar panels, has been in place since 2022, considering the exchange rate, bank interest rate, and other economic factors. A spokesperson from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) stated that the 2022 tariff system has been reviewed in light of current economic challenges, with input from stakeholders, consultants, and the charging committee. According to an Electricity Board official, the new system will result in a reduction in payments for renewable energy projects, including solar panels, starting after July 1.