The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is in the process of finalising a proposal according to which telecom companies will be asked by the government to install solar panels to generate back-up power for cellular towers. Though this move will help contain the use of diesel generators that cause environmental damage, it could significantly increase network expansion costs. The government is not planning to provide any subsidy for solar power equipment, but may offer soft loans to service providers under the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency's refinancing schemes.