Rooftop Solar Grids: New Trend in AP District Vizag

The Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) revealed that till February of this year, 563 rooftop solar grids were synchronized with the grid providing a total capacity of 6,837 kW with another 736 units of 3,651 kW capacity in pipeline.

The solar power development in the city of Vizag in Andhra Pradesh is gaining momentum as many in the city are coming forward to install rooftop solar grids. Those include owners of hotels, apartment complexes, and educational institutes.

Similarly, in the rural areas of the district there has been a considerable spike in the demand for solar PV pump sets which shows the willingness to transform to clean energy.

The Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) revealed that till February of this year, 563 rooftop solar grids were synchronized with the grid providing a total capacity of 6,837 kW with another 736 units of 3,651 kW capacity in pipeline.

The reason behind this trend is the awareness in general public. People are realizing the need to shift from conventional source of energy to cleaner and greener source of energy.

Jumping in the bandwagon, the first floating solar farm of 2 MW is being constructed by Greater Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (GVMC) at Mudasaralova reservoir. The GVMC has similar plan for Meghadrigeda reservoir where it wants to construct a three 3 MW solar farm.

Currently Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) is the largest producer of solar power in the district with a 10 MW plant near the airport. Vijaya Milk Products Pvt Ltd produces about 1.15MW of solar power, while Simhachalam Devasthanam is providing one MW with Visakha Diary rounding off to 420 kW.

 The GVMC has also installed rooftop solar grid of a total capacity of 258.24 kWp. The other institutions that have jumped onto the solar bandwagon in the district are Gitam University, St Joseph’s College, Avanti Group of Colleges, Timpany School, VCTPL, Lendi Engineering College, and NSRIT.

“We have installed more than 50 residential houses in Visakhapatnam with capacity of 200 kW and commercial installation capacity of 800 kW,” said Red Solar marketing vice president, Venkatesh Majji.

“There is a huge scope in city, especially in residential sectors as 30% subsidy from ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) is given for residential houses if it is under five kW.” he added.

Source: ET