M Rafi Ahmed
‘Har Ghar Solar’ is the buzzword for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has visioned to solarizing 1 crore households. This green initiative is being effectively implemented under the aegis of Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy across the country by the respective State electricity generation and distribution entities. In Tamil Nadu, the TANGEDCO has taken the lead to promote and publicize the scheme among the consumers.
With the demand for more power due to mushrooming of households across the nation, it has been imperative to implement the non-conventional energy source for domestic consumers. The earlier ‘Rooftop solar programme’ launched in 2014 has been renamed as ‘ ‘Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana’ during January this year when the PM had announced that over one crore households will get rooftop solar power systems.
A top honcho of the renewable energy ministry said that the scheme envisages to reach the target of 40 megawatts or 40 gigawatts rooftop solar capacity by 2026. Sources said that this would not only help reduce electricity bills of the “poor and middle class” but will also make India’s goal of becoming self-reliant in the energy sector by 2026.
Citizens Voice Coimbatore president C M Jayaraman told this scribe that this scheme is most welcome since it will reduce overheads in power generation besides tackling excess air pollution due to fossil fuels which is a health hazard. He went on to say that the consumers must utilize the opportunity to install solar power system atop their terrace thereby helping the State and the nation in their attempt to promote non-conventional energy source.
Meanwhile, the Coimbatore Podanur sub-division TANGEDCO Assistant Engineer Williams (cell 9445851203) said that there is a subsidy of Rs 30,000 for 1 kw, Rs 60,000 for 2 kw and Rs 78,000 for 3 kw and more. The subsidy amount will be credited to the consumer’s bank account within seven to 30 days. Moreover, the banks will extend loans without any delay since it’s Union government’s scheme.
Comparing the electricity bill, he said that the consumer will save Rs 919 for consumption of 400 units with EB bill being just Rs 206 while for 500 units consumption, the EB bill will be Rs 476 and for 600 units the EB will be 1241 instead of Rs 2736 without solar power installation. Consumers can apply for solar power installation through pmsuryaghar.gov.in or web portal www.pmsuryaghar.gov.in, solarrooftop.gov.in or PM-Suryaghar mobile app and QRT PM-Surya Ghar mobile app. Sources said that 1 kw solar power panel can generate 4 to 5 units of power. For more info, the division or sub-division TANGEDCO offices in the respective areas can be contacted.
