India solar projects subsidies to reach $10M

India paid at least US$10 million in subsidies to help rural homes and villages install solar-powered lights in 2010.

A government program promoting the use of lights powered by photovoltaic cells installed 78,408 portable lanterns and 108,599 home-lighting systems, the Ministry of Renewable Energy said in a statement today.

The ministry provided a subsidy of US$53 for each solar lantern, which typically runs off batteries, and anywhere from US$55.50 to US$191 for each home-lighting system depending on the model installed and the type of user, it said.