State-run ANERT launches ambitious project to make Kerala capital largest solar city in India

A Kerala government agency has launched an ambitious project to convert every rooftop in the state capital into a solar energy-producing station, making Thiruvananthapuram one of the largest solar towns in the nation in the near future. The public can view, learn about, and purchase a variety of solar energy systems at a three-day expo that the Kerala government-run Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT) opened today. This is done in order to implement the central government programme that Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled last year.

"The solar city project seeks to completely supply a city's energy needs with renewable energy. We have determined that Thiruvananthapuram has the capacity to produce 800 MW of solar energy. Through the development of a solar atlas, we have located three lakh structures that are eligible for installation, according to ANERT Director Narendra Nath Velluri. According to Velluri, work on installing solar panels has already started in 600 government structures, 150 of which have been given the green light.

The remaining government buildings would be put into use within a month or two, he added. According to the official, 700 MW of solar energy might be generated if people volunteer to put solar panels on the three lakh private structures mentioned. A further 100 MW can be generated by government agencies and solar street lights. As their electricity cost may be nil and they could make money by delivering power to the grid, solar panels enable consumers become "prosumers," or "producing consumers," Velluri said.

An ordinary household's complete power needs can be met by a 3 KW solar system. "The price of a 3 KW solar system might range from Rs 2 to 2.5 lakh. The 3 KW system will receive a 40% subsidy from the federal government. Therefore, a 3 KW solar system may be installed for Rs 1.6 lakh, the speaker stated.

Bank booths have also been added by ANERT so that attendees can apply for loans to purchase solar systems. "The project's implementation is under the purview of the state government. The Kerala government is also encouraging people to choose renewable energy by taking up to 4% of the interest on bank loans used to buy solar systems, according to Velluri.

Modhera, a small tourist town in Gujarat with only a 10 MW output potential, was recently dubbed a "complete solar town" by Prime Minister Modi. The first city to execute this on such a huge scale will be Thiruvananthapuram. At the same time, Gandhinagar in Gujarat is also tackling this, he said. There is already a "Sourya" programme in place in other districts to entice residents to install solar energy systems on the rooftops of their homes. By enrolling on the national portal established by the central government for the purpose, anyone can also take advantage of the subsidies and install solar panels.