One of the most inevitable or indispensable of New Year Resolutions anyone should adopt is to do everything possible to save our planet!

If we want to save our planet, we have to protect our environment reducing pollution of air, land and water and through sustainable use of resources. One has to depend more on alternate energy sources other than fossil fuels and normal power generation methods. Solar power can be easily and economically used to augment normal power supply in households and housing societies. So go solar to make us more powerful energy-wise and money-wise. To save the planet we have to think global and act local.

As you may be aware currently the biggest challenge in today’s world is energy conservation and reducing unwanted expenses. Various initiatives are being undertaken. if you could explore the option of installation of Solar panels on the terrace of a households or Society buildings or a suitable location as suggested by a competent company, it would save the people a lot of money otherwise wasted for paying electric power bills.

I came across an interesting article on this subject in to Times of India daily newspaper, excerpts of which is being reproduced below: 

 This article titled “Sunny Side Up” published in Times of India daily (Mumbai Edition) dated 2nd December 2017 under Sustainability section, was written by Prof Chetan Singh Solanki of IIT-Mumbai. Here the benefits of setting up solar power project are exemplified by three cases, one Karnataka, second from Mumbai and third from Bengaluru. The project type is “Net Meetering” where excess power generated can be fed back in to the common power grid, thus allowing you to sell power generated from your premises.

Place & Initial Investment

Rooftop space utilization

Date commissioned

Number of flats & Monthly savings or earnings

Solar Panels number with installed capacity

Current production per day on an average

Apartment in Bellary, Karnataka

Investment: Rs 1,844,528/-

2,900 Sq ft

Sept 2016

16 flats

Saves:  

Rs 24,000/- per month

Charges: Rs 5.5 per unit

108 Solar panels with 34 kW

130 KW per day

Lokhandwala, Mumbai

Rs 830,000/-

1,000 Sq ft

Nov 2016

42 flats in a 14 storeyed apartments

Savings: Rs 17,650/- per month

40 Solar panels with 10 KW

40 KW per day

Marathhalii, Bengaluru

Rs 1,503,578/-

3,000 Sq ft with five floors

Mar 2017

Hostel

Savings: 18,900/- per month

Charges:

Rs 8.4 per unit

64 Solar panels with18.8 KW

75 KW

The above table is for reference only.

In a State such as Kerala where Kochi International airport gets all power from solar panels it should be comparatively easy to do small projects for housing societies or residential complexes after seeking permission of all flat owners. By feeding excess power generated to the power grid, thus allowing to sell excess power, this whole project becomes a money-earning endeavour. A Jain Temple in Shahpur near Nashik also went solar to save environment (News item, TOI, Dec 29 2017)

If we think on a larger scale solar projects can be economical and feasible for general street lighting and augmenting power needs of running electric buses, electric trains, ships and most other transports. Solar panels can be places on roof tops of buildings, any motor vehicle, bus stands, train stations (including metro rail). With solar projects WiFi for communication networks can be provided anywhere without much cost.