Over 10K solar connections energised in Delhi; consumers save Rs 160 crore annually: BSES

The BSES discoms, BRPL and BYPL, have energised over 10,000 solar connections in Delhi, contributing a 220 Megawatt peak (MPp) of green energy and helping consumers save annually Rs 160 crore.

The highest number of installed rooftop solar net metering connections (about 6,900) is in the domestic category, followed by 1,771 commercial, nearly 1,000 educational, 165 industrial and 240 other types, said a BSES spokesperson.

Nearly 125 residential societies have opted for rooftop solar with a load of 5.5 MWp. Every kilowatt (kW) of rooftop solar power generates about 100–120 units of electricity every month, and the system’s cost can be recovered in three to four years, the official said.

A 10 kW domestic rooftop solar plant can save around Rs 86,400 annually, besides benefitting the consumers with a subsidy of Rs 1.08 lakh provided under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and Delhi Solar Policy.

Rooftops are the new power plants, and their number is rising across South, West, East and Central Delhi areas covered by BRPL and BYPL, said the BSES spokesperson.

“(Rooftop solar net metering connections)…is also doing its bit to reduce Delhi’s pollution besides helping consumers save annually Rs 160 crore,” the official stated.

The response of the people towards this system is “overwhelming” and consumers from various segments, including residential and commercial establishments, are embracing it “enthusiastically”, the official added.

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Delhi government’s latest hybrid renewable energy service company (RESCO) scheme will further accelerate rooftop solar adoption in the city, the discom spokesperson said.

Consumers can choose between capital expense (Capex) and hybrid RESCO models for the installation of rooftop solar power panels. Under RESCO, consumers will be able to go solar with zero capital investment.

In Delhi, although the domestic category leads in terms of number of solar connections (over 6,900), the highest energised solar load (81 MWp) falls under the commercial category, the official said.

The annual savings of the consumers adopting rooftop solar total approximately Rs 160 crore, with the commercial category estimated to save Rs 80 crore, followed by the residential category (Rs 35 crore), educational institutions (around Rs 30 crore), others (Rs 12 crore) and industrial (Rs 12 crore), the spokesperson informed.