Chennai:
Fed up with power cuts? There could be a way out as it may be possible to install a solar photovoltaic plant of one kilowatt capacity on your rooftop for as little as Rs 50,000 under the new guidelines issued by the energy department on October 18.
Coming a year after the government announced its solar energy policy, the guidelines provide for a subsidy of Rs 20,000 for consumers looking to install a grid connected battery- less solar system on their rooftops.
While a one kW solar system without battery costs Rs 1 lakh, the consumer will have to invest only Rs 50,000 and the rest will be borne by the state and Union governments. His power troubles too could be over as a solar system of one kW capacity can generate approximately 1,600 units a year.
“If the bi-monthly electricity consumption of a consumer is more than 500 units then the total annual saving is likely to be Rs 9,200 which is higher than returns from conventional investment,” said the department in its order.
In the first year, the subsidy will be provided to 5000 solar systems at a cost of Rs. 10 crore and the next year to 10,000 systems. With the Tamil Nadu Electricity Development Agency (TEDA) acting as a nodal agency, consumers can either apply online through the TEDA website or manually.
If applying online, a signed printout will have to be submitted to the TEDA office in Chennai within three months. Domestic consumers, whose existing electricity connection is in the tariff class LT-1A with Tangedco, will be eligble and will be selected on a first come first serve basis.
They will, however, be expected to buy the solar plants from suppliers listed by TEDA. In case of apartments, flat owners can submit applications either individually or collectively.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / October 25th, 2013