Banks to push solar panels

The finance ministry has advised banks to ´encourage´ home loan or home improvement loan applicants to install rooftop solar photovoltaic systems and include the equipment cost in the home loan. Given that there are few takers so far, the issue figured in the discussions with public sector bank chiefs. The move is part of an overall push to renewable energy and banks have been ´requested´ to offer a 1 per cent interest concession for renewable energy projects to propagate the use of green technology.