In June last year, Tata Power had commissioned a study by Energy and Environmental Economics (E3) to work on the feasibility of the project. This includes the distribution utility’s grid integrated rooftop solar photovoltaic and demand response projects. The findings of the study state that TPDDL can generate as much as 400 MW of solar power using rooftop panels via commercial as well as industrial consumers in north and northwest Delhi by the year 2022.
What this really means is that the wide rift between demand and supply of power in Delhi can be brought down significantly. In areas where TPDDL currently supplies power, demand touches 1,800 MW during peak hours. An excess of 600 MW is expected by the year 2022. The solar rooftop plan can help bridge this gap in near future. Moreover, the move will be nothing short of a boon to the environment in a country which is mostly driven by coal powered electricity. With most coal plants causing pollution and operating despite being obsolete, solar power surfaces as a cleaner and more affordable option.
When it comes to renewable sources of energy, be it wind, hydro, or solar, the belt in which a plan is executed is of extreme importance. For example, wind energy projects are fit for areas which receive strong winds on a consistent basis. Similarly, hydro power projects have to be placed near water bodies. TPDDL’s solar rooftop plan is set to be implemented in Delhi which receives good amount of sunlight throughout the year.
The installation cost for solar power is close to Rs. 80,000 per kW. Tata Power is currently purchasing solar panels in bulk and the company will be responsible for the maintenance as well as quality control of the panels. The next step is approval and installation of smart meters which provide online data with network protection. A solar panel’s lifespan is of about 25 years. The total cost of the project will be recovered in almost 5 years. Thereafter, the consumer will be able to avail free solar power for nearly 20 years.
(Featured Image Credits: thehindu.com)