Now you can supply power to the grid
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Houses in a complex in Kolkata will feed solar power generated by them in excess of their needs to the grid and get paid for it
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Photo: R. Ragu
New practice: Solar power systems are favoured with growing concern about global warming.
A solar-powered housing complex in New Town near Kolkata may prove a trendsetter by being the first project of its kind in the country that will feed power into the grid and not just consume it.
The project of the West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Authority (WBREDA) assumes importance in these days of heightened concerns about global warming and sustainable building practices, because solar power systems are integrated into the buildin
g instead of being an optional add-on.
This ‘building integrated photo voltaic technology’ has been increasingly used for homes in developed countries. The Rs. 12-crore complex, built on a plot of 1.76 acres, consists of 25 buildings and a community centre.
Surplus power
Each home in the complex, Rabi Rashmi Abasan, uses solar photo voltaic technology to generate 2 kW of power from the solar tiles on its roof. The owner of the house will get power from the grid when required but can also feed it with the surplus power generated in his house.
And correspondingly, he will pay for the electricity used from the grid and get paid in turn for the power that is supplied to it.
Each house will also have a solar water heater, providing 100 litres of hot water a day to meet the needs of its inhabitants. Solar power will also be used for lighting up the streets and signage in the area. These will contribute to energy savings as well.
Cooling effect
The WBREDA also says that the adoption of solar passive architecture features will make the houses cool during summer, as they will benefit from the natural flow of breeze. Better use of natural light and better air circulation inside the house will be ensured.
In case of a power cut, the owner will have at least two light points and one direct current fan point powered by solar energy.
The design and installation of 26 photovoltaic systems and 464 solar module units had been completed, said SunTechnics India. The 58 kW project also contributes to sustainability by saving 0.5 kg of carbon emissions for every kilowatt hour of solar power produced, the company said.
T.RAMACHANDRAN
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