Roof top solar panels for power the new rage

NEW DELHI: Net Metering has caught the interest of educational institutes across the national capital with leading schools putting up solar panels on their roof tops for self consumption.

Net Metering involves setting up roof top solar panels and producing power for self consumption while the surplus can be sold to the discom at rates approved by Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC).

Of the total 206 Net Metering connections, with a sanctioned load of over 7 megawatt,MW (over 7000 kilowatt) operational in the city, 40 are housed in schools and educational institutes having sanctioned load of over 1600 kW (over 1.6 MW).

Power major BSES, that caters to around 70 per cent of the city, said that educational institutes have pipped the other two categories -- domestic and commercial -- in terms of sanctioned load.

"The response to Net Metering has been incredibly encouraging. BSES has energised such connections ranging from a sanctioned load of 1 kW to 1000 kW. These consumers save between Rs 1,000 - Rs 10 lakh per month," a BSES spokesperson said.

The potential of the solar power initiative, launched in 2015, in BSES area is in excess of 250-300 MW, the discom said.