Commercial establishments such as hotels and petrol pumps are increasingly using solar power even as the consumers wait for the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) to introduce the 'net' metering system.
The energy regulator had pledged to measure the solar power produced by an individual and ensure appropriate relief in usage.
Using solar power directly with minimal storage is the best use of the resource. Using it for domestic consumption, primarily at night, is not an encouraging practice. The industries and commercial establishments are fast taking up the system, which is turning out to be a beneficial move, expert said.
The industries and commercial establishments in Nashik have, however, turned the tide of economic use of the solar power by installing solar power generators, terming it as their contribution towards the country earning some crucial carbon credits.
Pernod Ricard Pvt Ltd, Nashik has installed a 345 KW solar power plant at Rs 2.5 crore after successfully running a 20 KW solar power plant for three years. It was a risk, but we stuck to the decision and for the past seven months. 1,500 units of power have been a major contributor in our requirement of over 13,000 units a day.
The company already has steam power plant through co-generation and solar power plant is only adding to its self reliance as it takes less than 50 percent of power from the grid of the electricity distribution company.
Hotel Express Inn at Nashik has also raised 75 KW solar power generator on the roof top that generates more than 270 units of power a day against the daily consumption of 5,000 units.
We went for solar system as we wanted to contribute from our end for environment conservation, the chief managing director of the hotel,
Two petrol pumps that have also gone for consumption of solar power by rising of panels. For a petrol pump outside city, the flow of customers is not constant. In the absence of power, running a generator round-the-clock was costly. Hence we shifted to solar power. Against the operating cost of Rs 40,000 per month for power, it now costs me only Rs 21,000 per month ever since the solar project was raised who owns a petrol pump at Vilholi on the outskirts of Nashik towards Mumbai.
Farmers are also going for the solar power pumps with the help of banks. Kisan Nikam from Lasalgon has set up 3 HP of solar powered motor and he does not have to worry about the fluctuation in power. The pump is set on and off when required during day time and at my will. I don’t have to be at the mercy of the MSEDCL now.
The MSEDCLplans to distribute 130 pumps in Nashik and Ahmednagar.
