While everyone is eyeing the source of solar power as an alternative to power resources, the country is embroiled in ways to ensure the required power can be generated with ease. Roof-top initiative is one such ploy. Karnataka’s roof-top solar programme falls in line with this strategy, which comes to about 1.3 MW but with a large spread.
The state is looking to generate solar power systems as low as 0.5 kW and 1 kW across some 1,943 houses in Bengaluru, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli and Gulbarga. These are grid-connected solar systems, which means that this programme is a rent-a-roof type of initiative. The solar developer puts up a plant on a rooftop and sells electricity to the grid at prices arrived at by the tender process. The revenues will be shared with the roof owner.
According to the tender, half kilowatt and 1 KW systems will come up on 1,297 and 646 roofs respectively. The equipment used has to be approved by the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd and the developers should guarantee a minimum of 450 units a year for half kilowatt systems and 900 units for 1 kW. The tender notification speaks of the value of the tender of Rs 340 million.
Earlier, we had reported about similar rooftop schemes garnering good response, which seems to be finding takers across the country. While it is still too early to talk about future impact of such plans but the government should make sure they offer subsidies, attractive loans and funding for these roof-top projects.
