In a bid to boost solar power generation in Delhi, power utilities are now turning to educational institutes in the city. Tasked to meet the tough target of 7.6 per cent of Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) this year, distribution companies have begun to look beyond households hunting for larger spaces.
According to discoms, domestic consumers have largely been unenthusiastic about the concept of rooftop solar power generation.
“In today’s time, households are not forthcoming to install solar panels on their homes as the capital costs are still very high. So power utilities have to look up to larger spaces. We have narrowed down on schools and colleges. But, we need to convince them to lend us the roofs,” said Praveer Sinha, CEO and MD, Tata power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL).
Following suit, BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) has already installed its first 20 KW photovoltaic plant on the roof of East Point School in Vasundhara Enclave. The discom claims the school will generate 2,400-3,000 units of solar power per month and save the school administration Rs.25,000 in electricity bill every month.
In a bid to convince schools in North Delhi to get solar plants installed, TPDDL organised a workshop for students and teachers. It was attended by 50 schools including Xavier’s School, Bal Bharti Public School, G.D. Goenka Public School, Sachdeva Public School and Mothers Pride.
“Institutes usually have a lot of space to install PV power plants and can save 20 to 25 per cent power consumption. We will organise more workshops in Bawana, Narela, Wazirpur and Naraina,” added Mr Sinha.
TPDDL has recently launched a scheme to install and maintain rooftop panels for commercial and industrial power consumers in North and Northwest Delhi. The grid connected rooftop based PV power plants supervised by the discom will have a life span of 25 years wherein 1KW of PV power plant will generate up to 1,400 unit in a year. Consumers can also sell the surplus power generated to the discom at Rs.11 per unit and attain breakeven on investment in five years.
With domestic consumers largely been unenthusiastic about rooftop solar power generation, discoms are turning to educational institutes
