Hyderabad: Residents are increasingly switching to solar panels

Benefits of using solar energy

♦    Eco-friendly

♦    Economical

♦    Renewable, clean source of energy

♦    Zero carbon emission

♦    Low maintenance cost

♦    Less dependence on fossil fuels

Hyderabad: Apartments and individual houses in Hyderabad are no more using rooftops for using it as shared property or installing television antennas and water tanks or as spaces where clothes are hung out to dry. They are now switching over to solar panels because of their cost-effectiveness, sustainability and low maintenance.

They are willing to make capital investments to contribute towards the preservation of the environment. Solar panels are the best choice, it is a one-time investment say flat owners who have switched over to rooftop solar panels, mostly in areas of Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills, Madhapur, Miyapur and Kukatpally.

The cost of using solar to produce electricity goes down each year with the subsidy they get from the government.

“I myself got a 5Kw installation on my rooftop recently. Now many are going for solar power systems with a capacity of 1kW to 3 kW encouraged by central government’s subsidy,” said B T Srinivasan General Secretary, United Federation of Resident Welfare Associations

“Until recently, I have been paying upwards of 3,000 per month as individual electricity charges. The bill also included charges for shared electrical utilities such as water pumps, lifts and common area lighting.

Recently after installing rooftop solar power panels with 3kW capacity in our apartments and there has been a significant reduction in electricity charges,” said Ramesh Kumar, resident of Kukatpally

Ravendra Roa, resident of Miyapur said, “The benefits of the solar panels are tremendous, two months back I installed 5 kw solar panels and generate around 500 units per month and my consumption is around 400 units per month.”

Major Shiva Kiran, president of Greenland’s Residents Welfare Association, Begumpet, said, “ for the past 5 years I have been using solar panels, with this our electricity bill has come down to Rs 400, earlier we used to receive Rs 2000 per month. Solar panels are a one-time investment and the system can last as much as two decades with proper maintenance.”

“If we see in this 5 year after a lot of awareness campaigns organized by the central government in regards to solar panels, a lot of residents have installed solar panels, even many apartments have installed rooftop solar panels. Mainly it is zero fuel cost, no air pollution, no noise pollution, etc.

This will, in turn, reduce your electricity charges that are caused due to usage of lifts, motors, lights, etc. As per government subsidy the cost of installing a solar power system of 2kW to 3 kW is between 1.7 lakh and 2 lakh and 5 kw is between 3 lakh,” said Ramalingeswara Rao, director,ReEnergy Infra Pvt Ltd