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The Hindu
02-08-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Solar rooftop: get the billing right
The bi-monthly common area electricity bill has not brought residents of Geeyam Kalyan, a 10-unit apartment community at Thiruvengadam Street in RA Puram, any cheer in these two years. In fact, it has been a disappointment. When residents moved in to this new apartment, solar panels were already installed on the terrace to power common utilities like lifts, lights and motor - an amenity residents were proud about and hoping to see considerable reduction in their bill. However, every cycle, the bills looked unreasonably high. 'We were not clear how consumption is charged and there wasn't anybody to guide us properly,' says Geetha Venkataraman, secretary of Geeyam Kalyan Residents Association. An awareness meeting organised by Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG) in the colony came in as an eye-opener. Residents realised that the solar panels in the apartment was connected to 'net feed-in' instead of opting for 'net metering'. Both net metering and net feed-in tariffs are methods for compensating households and organisations for the energy they produce, and the rates vary. Calculation by CAG showed that the community's total energy consumption for common services bi-monthly as 1250 kWh. The energy bill through net feed in billing came between ₹9,000 and ₹ 10,000. The same through net metering billing would be ₹ 5,000. 'Once we learnt that we are connected to net feed-in solar billing mechanism, we contacted our solar vendor who applied to Tangedco, paid a fee to convert to net metering,' says Geetha that their next billing is expected in the first week of September where they are hoping to see a difference. And if the electricity bill drops then the association would think of extending solar grids to cover lights and fans of individual flats, adds Geetha. Complicated billing The initial experience with solar for residents of Vrikshah Gurukulam in C.P. Ramaswamy Street in Abiramapuram was also not sweet. The 10-unit apartment complex had their common amenities powered by solar panels with an installed capacity of 9720 W. Their first bill came as a shocker that the resident association even thought they would have been better off without this environment-friendly amenity provided by the builder. 'The billing system was so complicated that it was difficult for us to understand,' says K. Sundararaman who from a big proponent of solar became a naysayer. One big learning from the CAG team was that the capacity of the solar has to optimised to its best. The optimal solar PV system capacity recommended for the community by CAG team now is 5 kW to 7 kW. 'Now, I have a better idea of the billing and how subsidy is capped,' he says. Awareness sessions from Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group From submitting an application to deciphering the billing system, processes towards adoption of the solar option are hardly straightforward. Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules 2019 mandates that at least one third of terrace space be reserved for placement of solar photovoltaic panels to get a completion certificate from CMDA. From conversations, one learns that residents in many new apartment complexes struggle to understand the nitty-gritty of rooftop solar installation and along the way, some even decide to give up on the green energy option. 'We have seen in many cases the developer or vendor has half-baked knowledge and is unable to explain the functioning including how the bill is generated to the resident. In some cases, the handover is not done properly,' says K. Vishnu Mohan Rao, programme lead, Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG). The Chennai-based non-profit, which shows up at RWA meetings to create awareness on rooftop solar systems, says many potential consumers would think twice about investing in solar energy when they come across such negative feedback from communities that have already invested in it. Economic feasibility and help in identifying a vendor are among questions bothering prospective consumers. 'For people who have already installed (prosumers), they fail to understand financial aspects such as calculation of CUF (capacity utilisation factor) and network charges by TNPDCL,' says Vishnu. He says not counting self-consumption is another common concern they have encountered in their meetings. As part of a two-year project to understand Tamil Nadu's journey in energy awareness, a team from CAG is conducting awareness programmes that are free. Also Read: Help for RWAs to set up solar plants The NGO is also working with various stakeholders including TNPDCL, banks and vendors to push for renewable energy. 'We have technical experts such as an energy auditor, engineers who have graduated in renewable energy and can clarify queries,' says Subramani M., researcher with CAG. Tangedco's five zones have also been conducting grievance meetings to address solar-related concerns from the public. For details, call Subramani of CAG at 88072 14008
Time of India
25-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘TN rooftop solar execution issues to be sorted soon'
Chennai: Glitches in implementing subsidised rooftop solar scheme (PM Surya Ghar Yojana) in Tamil Nadu are teething problems, TNPDCL officials and solar energy developers said here on Friday. The trouble shooting will soon make the scheme more inviting to consumers, they added. At the stakeholders' coordination meeting held in the city, they discussed difficulties at the application stage, problems at effecting services phase, and challenges in getting subsidy to post-installation problems. The meeting was organised by the Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group in coordination with TNPDCL. TNPDCL executive engineer Karthikayini, coordinator for the rooftop solar scheme, said, "Vendors should be careful in entering the consumers' data on the portal. Wrong data would delay the release of the subsidy." Under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, the Union govt gives 30,000 as a subsidy for every kW of rooftop solar system up to 3kW. Above this, there is a subsidy of 18,000 for every kW up to 10kW. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai TN Solar Energy Developers Association treasurer L R Venkatesh said banks must fund residential welfare associations to install rooftop solar systems for common supply services in apartments. Anna University's Institute of Energy Studies former professor R Sethumadhavan said that several rooftop installations in primary health centres in districts cannot be used because they don't have a three-phase power supply. "Despite spending lakhs, the systems are not put to use. Uncontrolled high voltage, and net feed-in tariff in place of net-metering tariff are some problems that discourage people from installing rooftop solar systems," he said. Union renewable energy ministry's nodal officer Ramesh Babu said 236 crore was disbursed as a subsidy to TN as a part of rooftop solar scheme so far. "Those who applied for rooftop services before Feb 2024, and did not get the services, can reapply soon," he said. R Somesh Saravana, lead district manager from Indian Overseas Bank for Chennai district, said that many banks combine loans for rooftop solar systems along with new and existing housing loans. They do not insist on documents for up to 3kW, he added.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Velachery FOBs turn anti-social elements' den
Chennai: Would you use a zig-zag foot over bridge (FOB) with multiple steps and long footpaths to cross a road when a pedestrian-friendly signal is just a few steps away? Probably not—unless you're there for an early morning workout or a casual hangout. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This is exactly the case with the two FOBs located on Velachery–Taramani Link Road — one near the Baby Nagar Bus Stop and the other adjacent to the Taramani 100-Feet Road Bus Stop. The FOBs were inaugurated 10 years ago by former chief minister J Jayalalithaa as part of a 30 crore project to "ease congestion" on the road, but both now wear a deserted look. They are dysfunctional and have turned into an anti-social den, with alcohol bottles and cigarette butts strewn around. The escalators do not work either. "Most pedestrians directly cross the road using the two nearby signals. Youngsters even jump across the median barriers. The footfall declined further after the escalators stopped working," said Selvi, who runs a shop near Baby Nagar Bus Stop FOB. Pedestrians flagged redundancy of the bridges, citing their complex design and long access paths. Claiming that traffic is usually manageable in the area, they said crossing at the signals was quicker and less tiring. With poor upkeep and diminishing utility, residents also raised concerns about safety and sanitation. "At night, people sleep along the path with cigarettes and beer bottles," said Ganesan, a resident of Velachery. Residents say it's better to demolish the FOBs so that the pavements can be reclaimed. However, these underused structures continue to receive funds and official backing. "People will start using the bridges once the escalators become functional. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Do you want us to demolish them just because they are not used?" asked Velachery MLA J M H Aassan Maulaana. The govt has plans to revive them. "We are planning to repair the escalators through the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme. The budget will be finalised soon," said Murugan, highways assistant engineer. "FOBs are a bad idea. These structures end up giving priority to cars while forcing pedestrians to climb and cross," said Sumana Narayanan of Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group.
