Indian cities are today bustling with opportunities, buildings and new multiplexes. But then look in a bit closer, there are problems. An important issue is uninterrupted power! Bangalore city is today not just famous for its IT and Start-up prowess, but also erratic power supply and the familiar noise of Diesel gensets. They experience at least 3-4 hours of power cuts every day. Unfortunate, yet true.
So is there a solution?
A few citizens today are now setting up ‘rooftop’ solar panels and generating power. Apartment associations are also debating the long term return on investment of solar panels , inverters, power storage systems in long term. Although the initial cost of setting up a rooftop solar plant might seem higher, the average daily running cost is relatively cheaper. A diesel genset for example consumes 3-4 litres of fuel to generate 1000 watts of AC output. Simple math would tell you the cost is only going to go up for daily upkeep. While a rooftop solar project will cost less over a period of 5 years or much more.
The middle class today buys apartments, villas and duplexes in the range of Rs.50 lakh to Rs.1 crore or even more. Would it not be efficient to set up a self sustaining electrical system as well?
Good article by Sanaj Natarajan. I saw it on linkedin but had not read it fully
Thank you, such great compliment!
Are you on linkedin Mihran? We should connect there if you are
I don’t use LinkedIn, as the profie is managed by young brother, since my parents invest in hotels business…Let me know if you have Facebook?
Is this you or someone else managing your wordpress account? The Mihran I talked with over skype knows I have facebook accounts and even followed me via his aunt’s account Sally or something – don’t remember her name
Hi Geetha – I am the one I manage my wordpres and no one else. I also have now my own Facebook account, here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/KalaydjianMihran
You can connect with me on FaceBook as well. I hope I made myself clear now…Thanks
Hi Geetha – I am the one I manage my wordpres and no one else. I hope I made myself clear now…Thanks
It would indeed, what seems common sense by us, it appears is not always backed by those who make money out of high energy costs .. Here we have many more solar panels going up on roofs, but the energy companies are monopolising them and taking the profits back for themselves also..
It is good to see our world changing its ways of Being 🙂 and thinking environmental
Sending thoughts your way my friend
Sue
This is always good news. Good for India, good for planet earth.
Sustainable Solutions for 21st Century Problems! Good post!
Congratulations! You and your awesome blog, have been nominated for a Prestige and Power award. Please visit this link for more information. http://prestigeandpower.com/2015/10/07/prestige-and-power-awards-and-nominations/
– Kemdirim Okezie, Editor, Prestige and Power
I’m totally in favor of solar energy. Solar panels were placed in the last homes built on what was once Fort Ord, CA. Unfortunately, Fort Ord was already on the military base closure and realignment list. Therefore, those of us in government did not see a long term break-down of cost/benefit. The homes were built because congress had already allocated the money years before. Talk about a waste of tax-payer’s money. Congress allocated hundreds of thousands of dollars for improvements on Fort Ord and those improvements were made after 7th Light Infantry had already moved out.
I didn’t mean to get off on a tangent.
Interesting. I love the power of the middle class when we choose to act. Good article.
Private groups, like apartment complexes, have set-up their own diesel generating systems that are reliable. However, they are much more expensive than the grid. When will the grid become reliable? Cannot say. Solar panels are becoming popular, yes. Can they meet the demand? Cannot say yet.