Dr Murmuji : Your Opportunity Knocks
{ Director – CMERI / director@cmeri.res.in
}
It is said > Luck happens when hard work meets opportunity
Here is how :
YOUR HARD WORK :
Some 3 years ago , CMERI
developed a Solar Tree , which occupies very little space as
compared to traditional flat panel configuration of Roof Top Solar panels of identical
capacity
( A ) Capacity
Ø 11.5
Kw [ 35 solar PV modules of with a capacity of 330 W each, with annual capacity
to generate 12,000 – 14,000 kwh of clean power / Each solar tree has the
potential to save 10 – 12 tons of Carbon Emission when compared with fossil
fuel
( B ) Cost
Ø Rs 7.5 lakh
YOUR OPPORTUNITY :
On 22nd Jan, PM
Shri Modiji announced Surya Ghar : Muft Bijlee Yojana , to install 3 Kw Roof
top Solar installations for 1 crore ( 10 million ) households.
Two days ago , Ministry of
New and Renewable Energy ( MNRE ) has issued amendments to Electricity Rules (
listed below ), in order to accelerate installation of these 1 crore Roof Top
Solar panels
PROBLEM :
In all towns / cities, most
buildings are having 10 / 15 stories , housing 20 / 30 ( or even more ) tenants
Roofs
of these buildings are about 1000 / 1500 sq ft , capable of accommodating only 3
/ 5 installations (3 Kw ), each requiring 300 sq ft area . Following factual
table compiled by me will explain my point :
|
Family Location
|
Ave Units/Month
|
No of flats in Bldg
|
Terrace Area( Sq ft )
|
@300 sq ft ( 3Kw ),terrace area sufficient for no of
flats
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andheri
|
450
|
24
|
1500
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vile Parle
|
500
|
20
|
1500
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Powai
|
350
|
54
|
3000
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kandivali
|
350
|
16
|
2200
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chandivali
|
220
|
49
|
2000
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Given this situation, I am
afraid Surya Ghar Yojana may not work well for city dwellers
SOLUTION :
We need to find a way to
sqeeze in ( say ) 20 installations ( 3 Kw each ) needing 6,000 sq ft , on a
roof area of 1,000 sq ft
That is where CMERI
innovation of Solar Tree , could be the PERFECT solution . “ Grow Vertical “ is
the answer
I could not find any
latest information about this Solar Tree
But, NOW is the time to seize this opportunity and come up with a perfected /
commercial version proto-type , on the double ( 4 weeks ? ) , with
features / specifications which are equal to or better than the following
American Solar Trees :
https://smartflower.com/
https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/solar-flower-smartflower-solar-tracker
https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/solar-tree-your-guide-to-this-fast-growing-solar-trend#:~:text=Spotlight%20and%20Beam%20Global%20are,similar%20product%2C%20a%20solar%20flower.
Dr Murmuji ,
Under Surya Ghar yojana,
Govt has estimated the “ Sale Price “ of a 3 Kw installation at Rs 1.2 lakh
Four of these ( 12 Kw ) will sell for Rs 4.8 lakh ( as against CMERI estimate of Rs 7.5 lakh for 11.5 Kw )
But if EESL / CESL are
mandated to conduct a MASS PURCHASE ( 25 lakh “ Solar Trees “ , each of 12 Kw )
, then, I am sure that price can be brought down to Rs 4.5
lakh
And consider this :
CARBON EMISSION SAVED / CARBON CREDIT EARNED :
An 11.5 kW solar tree can generate approximately 20,987
kWh of
electricity per year (assuming an average of 5 hours of sunlight per day ).
The average carbon emission factor for electricity
generation in India is around 0.8 kg CO2/kWh.
If these figures are closer to reality, then the carbon emission saved by
each tree could be close to > 16.8 tons
Hence total saving = 25 lakh trees x 16.8 tons / year = 420 lakh tons /
year
If each ton saved, earns $ 10 by way of Carbon Credit, then annual earning :
Ø
420 lakh tons x $ 10 = $ 4200 lakh = $ 420
Million = 420 x 8.24 = Rs 3486 crore / year
With regards,
Hemen Parekh
Related Reading :
Context :
Govt tweaks electricity Act to
promote EVs and solar panels……….. 23 Feb 2024
Extract :
In a bid to promote electric vehicles and solar
energy, the Indian government has made some crucial changes in the electricity
Act.
According to Union minister for power and new
& renewable energy R. K. Singh, the amendments will facilitate easier and
faster installation of rooftop solar systems by :
Ø Exempting systems up to
10 kW from the requirement
of a technical feasibility
study
Ø Reducing the timeline
for systems above 10 kW from twenty days to fifteen days.
These changes will also strengthen consumer rights
and promote the adoption of renewable energy.
Under the new regulations, consumers are now able
to obtain separate
electricity connections specifically for EVs.
Additionally, the amendments seek to streamline
the process for new electricity connections, substantially reducing waiting
periods across different areas. For instance, the waiting period has been
shortened from seven days to three days in metropolitan areas, from fifteen
days to seven days in municipal areas, and from thirty days to fifteen days in
rural areas, with the exception of rural hilly terrains where it remains at
thirty days.
Furthermore, distribution companies are now
responsible for the system strengthening of rooftop solar PV systems up to 5 kW at their own expense.
The timeline for commissioning these systems has been
halved from thirty
days to fifteen days.
In a bid to offer more flexibility and
transparency to consumers residing in residential colonies and flats, the
amendments introduce the option to choose between individual connections or a
single-point connection for the entire premises. This choice is to be
determined through a transparent ballot conducted by the distribution company,
ensuring fairness in tariffs and separate metering, billing, and collection for
individual electricity consumption, backup power, and common areas.
To address complaints
regarding meter readings, distribution licensees are now mandated to install a check
meter within five days to verify electricity consumption for a minimum period
of three months, aiming to ensure billing accuracy and enhance consumer
confidence.
Minister Singh emphasized that the government,
prioritizing consumer interests, introduced the Electricity (Rights of
Consumers) Rules in December 2020. He further stated that these latest
amendments aim to empower consumers drive renewable energy adoption, and
elevate service standards within the electricity distribution sector.
https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/solar-energy-storage-system-sweden/
