The power discom has introduced a rash of incentives to encourage people to install solar power panels for generating electricity in their homes. Under the initiative, the electricity board will buy the excess power generated by solar power units at homes and adjust it in monthly power bills.Late last year, the Haryana government had made an announcement in which it declared solar power plants mandatory in all commercial and residential properties exceeding a plot area of 500 square yards. But Huda, the agency appointed for its implementation, on Monday acknowledged it had not followed up on the order.
This scheme could, however, be just the shot in the arm that initiative needs. According to the scheme, if a consumer uses 1,000 units a month, of which 600 units are generated by a personal solar plant, then the power bill will be only for 400 units. But if units of power generated by the solar plant exceed the consumer’s total monthly consumption, the extra units will be transferred to the discom and adjusted in next month’s bill to ensure the power generated doesn’t go waste. The benefits are over and above the subsidy provided on solar power panels.
Sanjeev Chopra, general manager of power discom DHBVN, said, “The initiative should not only encourage people to adopt solar energy, but also help the department deal with the city’s chronic power shortage.”A consumer now has to file an application with the electricity department that he is about to install a solar power plant. Following this, the department will install a ‘net meter’, which will be connected to, and record power consumption from, both the solar plant and the electricity provided by the board.The scheme is expected to most benefit working people, as the solar plant in their homes will generate power all day when they are in office and not consuming power.
This power will thus be entirely sold to the grid. Chopra said given the acute power shortage Gurgaon faces, high consumer participation in such initiatives will help the city tackle power cuts.Residents welcomed the initiative, as it will not only help the discom, but also benefit them. Surender, representing the Sector 45 RWA, said, “It’s a great start. If we generate power ourselves, not only do we save money on units consumed, we’ll also save on transmission losses and power theft.” He suggested the subsidy on solar power generation be directly transferred to a consumer’s bank account, as is the case with LPG subsidy.
Source: TOI
