Rooftop solar: Can it really lower your electricity costs?

Rooftop solar can significantly reduce electricity bills, especially for high-power consumers

- Maulik M

Every summer, the blazing heat makes air-conditioners an indispensable part of our daily lives, What follows next are hefty electricity bills.

You can install a rooftop solar (RTS) system at your home for some relief. The central government provides a subsidy on the installation cost of grid-connected systems under its PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PM Surya Ghar Yojana). Those with high power consumption can recover the installation cost within a few years’ time. That apart, it can give you the satisfaction of contributing to a cleaner environment.

What you essentially need is adequate roof space (a 1 kWp system requires 10 square metres) and the ability and willingness to bear the upfront installation cost. If you live in a flat, this may not always be the case.

Upendra Singh, ex-governing council member of the Bengaluru Apartment Federation, highlights a few challenges. “It’s very difficult to get all residents to agree to rooftop solar projects due to lack of awareness and the fact that additional funds have to be collected for this. While owners are more cooperative towards big-ticket investments, those who have rented out their flats are less interested,” explains Singh.

He also highlights structural issues.

“Weak structures or lack of terrace area can also pose a problem. Generally, taller buildings (10-15 floors) have less roof area in comparison with the number of housing units. This makes the investment unviable,” adds Singh.

Mint spoke with a few people who have RTS power systems at their homes (independent houses with their own roof space).

Make hay while the sun shines