Mumbai's industry belt switches to solar power

NAVI MUMBAI: Rooftop solar power is increasingly becoming a prized asset from politicos to individual houses with several industrial units in the MIDC area evincing interest in solar as it helps cut power bill. Even the huge initial cost can be recovered within a few years.

Thane municipal corporation (TMC) has already solar-powered one of its ward offices and is in the process of electrifying its several public properties like schools and hospitals with solar energy.

Chief engineer, MSEDCL, Satish Karpe of Bhandup zone told TOI on Friday, "Four installations have been done in my area, including that of the house of BJP MP, Kirit Somaiya, TMC , a doctor's house at Panvel and the industrial unit of VISA Power in the MIDC area. Many more are interested and we are encouraging the tapping of clean and green energy.’’

Karpe connected the solar power generated at the industrial unit (VISA Power) to the grid on Friday that would help the unit to also get compensated and earn money by supplying the unused solar power to the grid when the office is closed during the week and on holidays.

MSEDCL authorities said, "The unused power supplies will be factored at a certain price as per average pool pricing policy. It is the average cost of purchasing power from various distribution companies.’’

Abhijeet Sengupta, senior GM, Visa Powertech said, ""We will be able to reduce our monthly consumption by around 50 per cent with the 15 KW of power generated; the money earned from unused power supplied to the grid will together with reduction of monthly power bill will help recover the capital cost of installation in a span of few years.’’

The company does solar power installation and has installed 40 MW of power in the state including the biggest one of 20 MW near Osmanabad for an infra company. "Several units in the MIDC are also interested,’’ Sengupta said.

SSEA CEO, R Seshan said, "We are also encouraging industries to switch over and the response is growing that augurs well for the future to reduce the carbon footprint.’’