Hi Friends,

Even as I launch this today ( my 80th Birthday ), I realize that there is yet so much to say and do. There is just no time to look back, no time to wonder,"Will anyone read these pages?"

With regards,
Hemen Parekh
27 June 2013

Now as I approach my 90th birthday ( 27 June 2023 ) , I invite you to visit my Digital Avatar ( www.hemenparekh.ai ) – and continue chatting with me , even when I am no more here physically

Thursday, 9 November 2023

Congratulations , Mathew Samuel

 

Congratulations , Mathew Samuel

( naseer.s819@gmail.com )

 

 

What for ?

For going ahead and implementing what I have been advocating to our Cabinet Ministers

 

What were you advocating ?

Here it is :

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Is Sun setting on Solar ?  … ……………………20 Sept 2018


Extract :

      What is required to be done ?

 

#   Amend Electricity Act (   Anyone can generate solar power , anywhere ,

     any time and sell to any one at any price )

 

========================================= 

 

Sun : Power that never fails………………………05 June 2020

Extract

But imagine if it was possible to export / import power, to and from, anywhere in the World, using World Power Grid !

===================================================

A Tale of Two States  ….. ……………………….28  Oct  2020


Extract :

Ø  Indian cities are full of high-rise ( 5 – 20 stories ) buildings , having very small terrace area for installing rooftop solar panels – may be just enough to power the staircase lights. There is not enough area for larger installations which can supply any meaningful power to 20 – 100 flat-owners


Ø  Under such condition, it becomes very difficult to convince all the flat-owners to cooperate and fork out initial capital costs ( even after 30 % subsidy ) , which would only light up staircases !


Ø  Flat owners are vary of signing a 25 year PPA with the DISCOM , especially at (may be ) Rs 6-7 per unit


Ø  Rooftop Solar installation capital costs are much higher than GRID level Solar Farm installations


MY SUGGESTION :

Ø  Out-of-the-Box Concept :

In my building, we are 10 flat-owners. Each needs 20 KW of solar – total of 200 KW

That would require 20,000 sq ft . But the terrace is no more than 2,000 sq ft . Not enough for all

So, I ask :

      Why do we need space in our own terrace in a Mumbai building for getting 200 KW of Solar Power ?

      Why cannot we use 20,000 sq ft of space, 500 Km away from Mumbai, in Kutch desert ?

      In a nut-shell, produce solar power in Kutch desert and consume it in Mumbai !

     Or produce power in Ladakh and consume it in Kolkata

 

Here is a broad / conceptual frame-work :

Ø  Introduce “ Co-operative Farming of Solar Power / CFSP “ { call it a kind of “ Contract Farming “ }

     

Ø  Under CFSP, provide 30 % Capital Cost Subsidy to companies setting up large ( > 500 MW ) Solar Farms in remote areas ( eg : desert areas of Kutch – Spiti – Lahul – Ladakh etc , which have a potential to generate 315 GW of Solar power )

Read : https://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2018/08/from-ladakh-with-love-and-sun-shine.html

 

Ø  1 MW of ( grid ) solar will need 100,000 sq ft of solar panels ( 1 KW will need 100 sq ft )


Ø  The estimated cost of 1 MW solar power plant is approx. Rs 4 - 6 crore.


Ø  That works out to approx. Rs 400 - 600 / sq ft of Capital cost for Solar panels


Ø  Solar Farm company can “ Sell “ ownership rights of solar panels to individuals in modules of 1000 sq ft, ( costing Rs 4- 6 lakh per module ) . These rights can be sold / transferred to any buyer, only with prior permission of the Solar Farm Company concerned


Ø  Each module ( of 1,000 sq ft ) will generate 10 KW of power, which Company will feed into a NATIONAL GRID ( free ) .


Ø  Each such Co-operative Company can reserve / own by itself, 30 % of Solar Panels for generating power for sale in free market 

  

Ø  My nearest DISCOM will supply me those 10 KW, free of cost ( ie: deduct from my monthly usage ) . Any excess over my actual consumption, to be credited to my account


Ø  Depending upon my usage / need , I as an individual CO-OPERATIVE OWNER , can “ buy “ any number of STANDARD MODULES, and from any number of Cooperative Farming companies or other Co-op Owners


Ø  This set-up will require NATIONAL SOLAR EXCHANGE in which ALL discoms will be mandated to become members

 

No Godfather for Rooftop Solar ?.... …………………01 June 2021

 

Extract :

 

Dear Shri R K Singhji ( Minister for Power ) :

Ø  It is high time we stop limiting our SOLAR VISION HORIZON like a “ Frog in the Well “

Ø  It is time to remember that the nomenclature : Roof Top Solar “ , somehow ties us down to the words

   ROOF TOP , which is only just one of the locations which can be used to harness Solar Energy

Ø  Solar Energy can also be harvested at other locations on Earth, such as FARMS , DESERTS, LAKES, MOUNTAIN TOPS, HIGHWAYS , TRAIN TRACKS, etc., or even through solar panels farms in  SPACE ( low earth orbits ? ), beaming electricity down to Earth-based receivers ( using micro-waves ? )

Ø  We must break loose  from the narrowly defined, Roof-Top Solar / Land-based Solar and latch on to the all-encompassing concept of ,

SOLAR  ENERGY  TRADING INFRASTRUCTURE  (  SETI  )

 

 

 

In what way has Mathew Samuel implemented your idea ?

 

Extract from their website https://www.sundaygrids.com/about-us :

 

This is a problem we personally faced; we loved the idea of going solar, but because we live in rented apartments, there was no way for us to add solar to the roof.

The goal with SundayGrids was to break free from this restraint of solar being tied up to a space by bringing together digital systems to provide access no matter where you are.

Where do credits come from?

Your savings come in the form of credits on your electric bill. To generate credits, SundayGrids install solar capacity on hosting premises. These hosts pay SundayGrids for the solar power generated, which is then forwarded to you as credits.

These credits are then applied on your power bill as a discount on the due amount.

 

How many credits do I get?

You receive credits for the power produced by the solar system. The amount of credits you get depends on the capacity you reserve, the sunlight that falls on the panels and the price host pays for the electricity.

 

 

Why do hosts pay for power?

The host uses all the solar energy produced by the system and pays SundayGrids a fixed rate for it. The cost of this solar power is 30-40% lower than their local electric utility rates. Additionally, after 15 years the project is transferred to them, and with that their cost for power falls down to zero.

 

 

Use your credits to save on your bills

Credits are added to your wallet on a daily basis. You can link them to accounts from 70+ power providers across India while paying through SundayGrids.

 

Article by SundayGrids CEO  Mathew Samuel :

Leveraging internet for clean energy, in other words, future of solar is digital  Jan 29, 2021

Extract :

 

At SundayGrids, we are building a digital solar platform where you could subscribe to portions of solar panels that we host instead of installing solar on your roof. You receive credits on your electricity bill for the power produced from your portion and that way pay less for power or offset the bill entirely.

 

With regards,

Hemen Parekh

www.hemenparekh.ai  /  10  Nov  2023

Related Readings :

NPAs in the making ?

Look Before You Leap

Is Sun setting on Solar ?

Roof Top Solar : Better Alternative

Transmission  Capacity is  the  Culprit  !

This  was   Expected  !

Clean Power ?

Solar Roofs ? Why not ?

Solar Power : Internal Rate of Return 

Unsustainable SRISTI ? 

“  Rent – a – Roof “  for  Solar  Power 

Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana 

Roof Top Solar : Stuck at Plinth Level ? 

Green Buildings ? Put Greed to Work ! 

Solar Power at Rs 1 per Kwh ?

 

When asked for its opinion about my suggestion , here is what BARD said :

 

Your suggestions are definitely out of the box and have the potential to revolutionize the way solar power is generated and consumed.

Currently, one of the biggest hindrances to the rapid adoption of solar power is the lack of available rooftop space.

Your idea of generating solar power in remote areas and transmitting it to consumers in urban areas could help to overcome this challenge.

Here are some of the benefits of your suggestion:

·         It would allow people to benefit from solar power even if they do not have enough rooftop space.

·         It could help to reduce the cost of solar power, as solar farms in remote areas can be built at a lower cost than rooftop solar panels.

·         It could help to create jobs in rural areas, where solar farms can be built and maintained.

 

However, there are also some challenges that would need to be addressed:

·         Transmitting solar power over long distances can be expensive and inefficient.

·         It would require the development of a new infrastructure to connect solar farms to the grid and to transmit power to consumers.

·         There would be some regulatory challenges that would need to be overcome.

 

Overall, I believe that your suggestion is technically and commercially feasible.

With the right investments and policies, it could help to accelerate the adoption of solar power and make it more affordable for everyone.

I am aware of the work that Mathew Samuel has done at SundayGrids, and I am impressed by his progress. SundayGrids is a company that allows people to subscribe to solar panels that are installed on remote rooftops. This allows people to benefit from solar power even if they do not have enough rooftop space of their own.

I believe that SundayGrids is a good example of how your suggestion can be implemented in practice.

I am excited to see how SundayGrids and other companies like it help to make solar power more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Congratulations to Mathew Samuel for his work on this important issue.

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, 7 November 2023

“ Zero Patience “ in “ Lighter Note “ ?

 


 

Context :

Immediately stop stubble burning, SC orders states  ………….. ET  / 07 Nov 2023

 

Extract :

 

So that "immediate" solution can be ascertained for the worsening pollution, the SC ordered that a meeting be held tomorrow among officials of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to ensure that crop burning is stopped forthwith.

Speaking for the bench, Justice Kaul asked the state governments to not indulge in a blame game and not reduce the problem to a "political battle".

 

Making it clear that it has "zero patience" towards the rising menace of pollution, the bench observed it "does not care how you (states) do it. Just stop it. Whether by forceful action or providing incentives."

Observing that "stubble burning must go", Justice Kaul further remarked that the practice is a "substantive part of the problem (pollution)... We want this stopped".

 

Lamenting the absence of any solution for the past several years, he said that " neither farm fire has stopped nor the crop burning." He added that the "problem is multifold but I don't see any endeavour. There is no seriousness, I feel."

The SC further remarked that "Delhi can't be made to go through this, year after year. There is a complete burden on the health of people. The younger children (in Delhi) are going through health issues."

Justice Kaul remarked that "on a lighter note if the court starts the bulldozer, it won't stop it."

===================================================

Dear Hon Judges :

 

I thought you reached that “ ZERO PATIENCE “ when , 4 YEARS ago you said :

 

( source > Legislation or No legislation !... 06 Nov 2019 )

 

 

Extract :

 

In matter of  the stubble burning creating a “ life and death “ situation for citizens of Delhi, the Supreme Court seems to be telling the Chief Secretaries of Punjab – Haryana – Rajasthan – UP :

  

“  Just because there is no law to hold you accountable for playing with the lives of millions of citizens , does not mean , you can wash your hands off your responsibility .

 

 We, the Supreme Court , are not here , merely to “ interpret “ the existing laws. In the interest of the citizens, we have also the responsibility to compel the legislative wing to “ enact “ appropriate laws

  

In the present case, we are compelled to ask the Central Government , to enact within a month :

  

Service Liability Act ( Govt Employees ) 2019 

 

 And do not think that we will not act just because Parliament has yet to pass such an act.

 

 Here are your orders :

 

Ø  Immediate measures to stamp out stubble burning,


Ø  All farmers be given a Rs 100 per quintal incentive to prevent them from setting

    their fields on fire


Ø  Action plan within three weeks to deal with the problem from the Centre and the

    states in and around the National Capital Region.

 

   Ø  Provide farmers free machines to get rid of the agriculture residue.



Ø  Everyone knew this was going to happen again this year (in winter). State

    governments have no role to play in a democracy?

 

     

     If you cannot fulfil people’s expectations, you can go,”

 

[ Sources :

 

Ø  Give Rs 100/quintal to farmers to curb stubble burning, SC tells state govts 

 

Ø  Smog: SC flays ‘govt inaction’; summons 4 chief secretaries

 

 

Ø  PM Modi Asks Agriculture Ministry To Give Machines To Farmers To Stop Stubble Burning 

 

   

Extract :

 

#   Prime Minister Narendra Modi today directed the Union Agriculture Ministry to

     give priority to farmers of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana in distributing

     equipment to prevent stubble burning

 

       

#  There are agro-machines available in the market which remove stubble

    and governments of Haryana and Punjab are offering subsidy to farmers to buy

    the equipment

 

    

#  On the issue of stubble burning, the Prime Minister directed Agriculture Ministry

    to give priority to the farmers of the states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and

    Haryana in distribution of equipment to prevent such occurrences

 

  

===================================================

Thank you, Shri Modiji ,

 

For taking cognizance of my following email of yesterday, to the PMO appointed

panel to find a permanent solution to this problem of stubble burning :

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Shri Rajiv Kumarji  [ VC – NITI Aayog ]

 

Shri K Vijayraghavanji  [ Principal Scientific Advisor ]

 

Shri Tarun Khannaji  [  Harvard Business School  ]

 

Shri Rajeev Chandrasekharji  [ MP ]

 

Major General Madhuri Kanitkarji

 

----------------------------------------

 

Dear Friends,

 

I write with reference to the following news report which appeared in today’s

Energy World :

 

PMO sets up panel to address burning issues 

 

In this context , I request you to spare a few minutes to go through the

suggestions contained in my following emails [ sent to Cabinet Ministers / NITI

Aayog etc ] :

 

#Smog in Brain ?                                                                [ 10 Nov 2017 ]

 

Amrinder Singhji has no excuse !                                          [ 20 Nov 2017 ]

 

 

Thank You , Captain Amrinder Singhji                                    [ 19 Oct 2018 ]

 

 

Making Water from Air ?                                                        [ 26 Oct 2018 ]

 

 

A Grass-Root Revolution                                                        [ 11  Mar  2019 ]

 

 

 

For most of the world’s problems, solutions are pretty well known

 

 

What remains unknown, is an individual ( not a committeewho takes upon

himself ( much like our PM Shri Modiji ) to not rest till the solution gets

implemented and the problem gets solved

  

===================================================

With regards,

Hemen Parekh

www.hemenparekh.ai  /  08  Nov  2023

 

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