Ghatkopar society taps solar power to save ₹1.9 lakh on power bills every year

The Arihant Darshan Society in a Mumbai suburb installed a rooftop solar system in May; the power generated takes care of 80% of its requirement and lights up common areas, staircases, and the elevator.

Solar energy is the future, and this housing socitey in Mumbai is well aware of it. The Arihant Darshan Cooperative Housing Society, located in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, is saving ₹1.9 lakh annually, thanks to the rooftop solar system installed on the eight-storeyed building. The 11.05-kilowatt peak (kWp) rooftop solar system helps light up common areas, staircases, and an elevator, and covers a whopping 80 percent of the society's total electricity expense.

The solar system was installed in the first week of May across 1,500 sq ft on the rooftop. It uses 34 panels and generates 15,000 units (kilowatt hour kWh) annually. The society saw a decrease in the electricity bill from ₹17,917 per month before the system was set up, to ₹2,083 in June. Previously, the society consumed 18,000 units of electricity from the grid. The solar system has a lifespan of 25 years, says Hindustan Times.

Nemish Shah, chairman of the society, said,

“Adopting rooftop solar technology is about more than just savings. The fact that it helps in reducing the carbon footprint is something that is truly motivating as a cause. Overall, solar power is free and a clean form of energy, resulting in zero environmental impact.”

Members of the society have also placed a net-metering system; this will redirect surplus power to the grid. Annually, the society will pay only for the “net usage' by the supplier.

Animesh Manek, Founder, and Director, Avishakti Rooftop Solar Pvt Ltd, the company that installed the system, said,

“It is not easy to convince people to adopt rooftop solar technology as the initial cost is high. It is generally misunderstood is that the solar system will be battery operated.”

He added that the entire cost of installation of over ₹7,75,000 (including GST) will be recovered in the next 4 years, reports The Better India. According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, an 11.05 kWp system can mitigate 338 tons of carbon dioxide emissions and is equivalent to planting 541 teak trees over its lifetime.

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