Tuesday, June 04, 2013: Being affected by long and frequent power cuts and rising heat, the Andhra Pradesh government advises a solution for the state- Subsidized solar panels are available for installation in household rooftops and owners can even sell any surplus amount to grid stations at the rate of Rs 3.50 per unit.
People who intend to setup a 1 kW solar plant will get a 50 per cent subsidy as the state is fighting hard to counter the power shortage since the last year. The 50 per cent subsidy scheme from the state will include a 30 per cent backup from the central government.
For 1 KW solar plant to be set up, it requires an investment of about Rs 80,000. With the power generation capacity that the panel would have, a household can easily save about 10 to 30 per cent after meeting the household requirements.
The setup will include a meter that separately calculates the power consumed by the household and the power they contribute to the grid station. According to Kamlakar Babu, the VC and MD of NEDCAP, with the current rates, a household can in-fact earn Rs 350 on average if they contribute 100 units per month. This will equip them to do something about the power problems instead of complaining about it according to an interview to Business Line.
The NEDCAP, which promotes the use of renewable energy in-fact, has asked the central government if the subsidy could be increased to 3 kW with 30 per cent support. The solar power momentum has picked up in the state and the governor’s office has already been fitted with a penal.
Other than this, 10 collectorates in Vishakhapatnam and Vijayawada have installed the facilities. The AP Transmission Corporation has bidded for solar projects that is worth 1000 MW.