Hyderabad Can Generate 1,730 MW Rooftop Solar Power, says Report

Hyderabad can reduce its power demand by almost 15 per cent.

A joint research undertaken by the Greenpeace India and Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI) has said that, Hyderabad has a potential of generating 1,730 MW power through rooftop solar panels and can achieve the top place in the country.

The report further stated that, if achieved, Hyderabad can reduce its power demand by almost 15 per cent.

According to the report ‘Rooftop Revolution: Unleashing Hyderabad’s Rooftop Potential’, “A big share of this (1,730 MW), nearly 70 per cent, can come from the residential sector… For residents, solar makes for a solid investment, and would cut down on electricity bills considerably.”

“The city is blessed with quite a few major landmarks that have sizable potential for rooftop solar power generation,” the report added.

Some of the major regions with huge solar rooftop potential according to the study includes, buildings of Osmania University (over 5,100 KW), Begumpet and Rajiv Gandhi International Airports (over 700 KW), the city’s railway stations (3,187 KW), metro stations (679 KW), all bus depots (nearly 3,000 KW).

Hyderabad has the highest annual Particulate Matter (PM) levels of Telangana’s eleven districts and cities, the study said.

Commenting on the report, Greenpeace India, Climate and Energy Campaigner, Pujarini Sen said, “Switching to solar will not only help Hyderabad reduce air pollution by bringing down its dependence on coal as a source of power, but also help policy makers to the India’s overall rooftop solar goal of 40 GW by 2022.”

Source: IANS