Prayagraj locals switching to rooftop solar panels to save on electricity bills

Prayagraj: When it comes to generating clean energy and minimising electricity bills, city residents are fast switching to rooftop solar power panels. Over 7,500 consumers have installed solar power panels across the Sangam city in the past one year. With both the union and state govt offering subsidies on solar panels, rooftop solar panels are booming in the city as more consumers are now opting for clean energy.

With the onset of the summer season, inquiries for solar power panels have doubled. House owners with adequate roof space are opting for systems ranging from 2 kW to 10 kW on the residential on-grid system. The subsidy granted for systems from 2 kW to 10 kW on the residential on-grid system is attracting more consumers in the city as well as in the trans Ganga and trans Yamuna pockets of the district. A majority of power consumers in city areas like Civil Lines, SP Marg, Muir Road, Ashok Nagar, Georgetown, Tagore Town, Mumfordganj, and Dhoomanganj have installed solar panel systems.

Agencies installing rooftop solar power panels here pointed out, "The rising electricity bills and frequent power cuts have inspired many consumers to install solar panels on their rooftops. The installation of on-grid solar power systems has increased by at least 40% across the city this year compared to the previous year.

The demand for solar connections is coming from all types of consumers, but house owners with adequate roof space are quickly opting for clean energy."

Rahul Khare, owner of a firm installing solar power energy systems, told TOI, "With state and central govt offering substantial subsidies on solar panels from 2 kW to 10 kW, consumers are quickly installing on-grid solar power systems as they get a chance to receive credit for the excess power their system produces. The excess power is fed to the grid through net metering. It also means an uninterrupted supply as there will always be power either from the solar panel system or from the grid, besides saving on electricity bills." Even the majority of owners of showrooms, community halls, and hotels are now getting on-grid power systems installed to reduce electricity bills, he added.

Executives of firms selling and installing solar panels said residential units in cities prefer on-grid solar power systems, while off-grid power systems are in demand in rural areas. Notably, two types of solar power systems, off-grid (battery-based) systems with backup and on-grid systems (without battery), are in high demand.

"I opted for a solar electric system and got solar panels installed on the roof to cut down electricity bills," said Manish Mehrotra, a businessman.

Under the net-metering policy, non-conventional energy generated by individuals is first used in the building as per requirement, and surplus power is fed to the grid. Consumers get paid back in terms of energy credits and adjustments in bills against power transferred to the grid. Bi-directional meters are installed at consumers' houses apart from rooftops, and these meters not only record the power taken by the consumer but also the power put into the grid by consumers.