Pune man generates electricity at home, sells surplus to MSEDCL
Inaugurating the 1st project of Solar Electricity Generation in Pune under NET Metering on the terrace at Sakhu-Nandan Bungalow.
Maharashtra’s 1st project of solar electricity generation under Net Metering was inaugurated by BJP MP Anil Shirole in Pune on Wednesday on the terrace at Sakhu-Nandan bungalow of Dr Dilip Borawake on Bhandarkar Road.
‘Rooftop Solar system’ means the Solar PV power system installed on a rooftop or any other mounting structure on the consumer’s premises that uses sunlight for direct conversion into electricity through photo voltaic technology. “Net Meter” means an appropriate energy meter capable of recording both import and export of electricity, for recording the net import and net export of electricity. Therefore under Net Metering a person can sell the excess electricity to the utility company i.e. Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL).
Borawake spent Rs 3.5 lakh, after subsidy, on the whole power system which cost about Rs 5 lakh. Every year one can save Rs 1 lakh with this system. There are 20 solar panels on the terrace which can generate 5 kW peak electricity. The project will generate 7,300 units per year and save 5,800 kg per year carbon dioxide pollution. The cost of installation of the project will be recovered in three years, while it will continue to produce electricity for the next 22 years.
“The project is installed keeping in mind social responsibility to reduce pollution and make the Earth clean and green for the next generations. By using Renewable Solar Energy, we save on imports of Gas and Oil. India is blessed with 300-310 sunny days in a year. Such Solar Projects are economically very profitable. Present Government has given a boost to make use of Solar Energy. I earnestly appeal to the society and the citizens to go for these Solar PV Systems,” Dr Borawake said.
Though people had been installing solar power system at home, they could not sell the surplus electricity. To make the system lucrative and reduce pollution, the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) issued guidelines last year to allow people to sell excess electricity to MSEDCL. This will help them recover the cost of installation early.
One can apply online for installation of Roof Top Solar PV System under Net Metering arrangement on the following website http://www.mahadiscom.in/SolarRoofTopNetMetering.shtm
It may be recalled that Karnataka was the first state in the country to allow connecting solar power to grid.
Several other states followed including Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Chhatisgarh and Uttar Pradesh.
