Javid Kamil, Chairman of the Solar Industry Association (SIA), said that the Ceylon Electricity Board has requested that rooftop solar power systems be deactivated from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm every Sunday. In addition, he further stated that the government is working to reduce the amount paid for electricity generated from solar power by 30%.
Commenting on this, he said: ”Rooftop solar power systems alone have contributed 500 megawatts to the national power grid in 2024. That is about 5% of the national demand. Those who installed rooftop solar power systems were paid Rs. 27 per unit if they were less than 500 kilowatts and Rs. 23 per unit if they were more than 500 kilowatts. Now the government is trying to reduce that amount by 30%.
We are installing this solar power system under a 20-year warranty. Currently, more than 100,000 people have installed solar power systems on the roofs of their homes. If the industrialists who sell and provide services for these solar power kits go out of business, more than 100,000 people will be at risk without the ability to properly maintain their solar power systems. Therefore, we request the government to keep the current price paid for kilowatt units unchanged and not reduce that price.