STAR RATING SCHEME – GOVERNMENT SCHEME

STAR RATING SCHEME – GOVERNMENT SCHEME

News: The star rating programme for solar photovoltaic modules, was launched by Union Minister for Power, New and Renewable Energy R K Singh.

What's in the news?

●       The initiative provides ratings from 1-5 stars on the basis of the efficiency of modules.

●       The programme is voluntary for the first two years and will be made mandatory after that, Singh said. All the panel manufacturers will have to get registered under the programme to get their products rated

●       The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the Ministry of Power, promotes the use of energy-efficient processes, equipment, devices and systems. It takes various steps to encourage preferential treatment for the use of energy-efficient equipment or appliances

What is the Star Rating Program?

1. The Star Labelling Programme has been formulated by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, as part of its mandate, under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
2. Under this Programme, BEE has covered 24 appliances till date wherein 10 appliances are under mandatory regime. On the occasion of 19th foundation day, BEE has expanded the coverage by including Energy Efficient “Deep Freezers” and “Light Commercial Air Conditioners (LCAC)”. Through launch of these two new appliances under a voluntary regime, 26 appliances would now be covered under this programme. Along with Solar PV it counted as 27 now.

How do they decide the BEE Star Ratings?

●       One of the most common myths about the BEE Star Rating is that it is solely based on the appliance’s power consumption. A lot of factors contribute into formulating the final star rating on the product.

●       Although the manufacturers rate and label the product, BEE sets all the standards and norms which need to be followed while rating an appliance. While some category of appliances necessarily have to be given a star rating, for others it’s optional.

●       Appliances which need to have an energy rating label mandatorily: Frost-free refrigerator, Tubular Fluorescent Lamps, Room Air-Conditioners, Distribution Transformer, Colour TV, CST AC, Direct Cool Refrigerator and Electric Geyser.

●       The appliances with the lowest energy consumption in a product category are given the most stars and those with the highest energy consumption are given the least.

Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE):

●       The BEE is a statutory body under the Ministry of Power, Government of India.

●       It assists in developing policies and strategies with the primary objective of reducing the energy intensity of the Indian economy.

●       BEE coordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies and other organizations to identify and utilize the existing resources and infrastructure, in performing the functions assigned to it under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001