Nellore sees surge in demand for rooftop solar electricity scheme

According to Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL), over 40,000 households have shown interest in implementing the ‘PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana’ in Nellore district. The Union government scheme aims to provide free electricity to one crore households through rooftop solar installations.

As many as 32,000 SC/ST households, which are eligible for 100 per cent subsidy, have given consent letters for the installation of solar panels on their roofs, with feasibility assessments currently under progress.

The Electricity Department has already finalised the agencies to implement the project in the five divisions — Nellore city, Nellore rural, Kavali, Kovur and Atmakur.

Applications pouring in

As of Monday, the PM Surya Ghar portal has received 9,862 applications, with 6,018 applicants having selected their vendors and uploaded the necessary documents.

“From the 6,018 applicants, we have commissioned solar systems atop 4,072 households. A total of 3,829 have already received subsidies in their bank accounts,” said APSPDCL Nellore Circle Superintending Engineer K. Raghavendram.

Installing a 1 kW capacity rooftop solar system would produce 5-6 units a day, while 2 kW and 3kW systems, would generate 7-8 units and 12-15 units, respectively. While domestic connections are capped at 10 kW, the potential savings are substantial.

With a collective power generation system of 14.75 MW so far, Nellore Circle also reportedly stands first under APSPDCL in terms of the installed capacity linked to the grid.

Nellore Collector Himanshu Shukla, who is regularly monitoring the progress of the scheme’s implementation, has directed that the village and ward secretariat staff to raise public awareness regarding the installation of the solar project.

The APSPDCL has already been conducting the ‘Jana Bata’ programme to bring the staff to the public for this purpose.

“The district is currently registering 300 new connections per month, a number expected to rise as awareness levels improve,” he said.

It may be recalled that ‘PM Surya Ghar’ was widely projected in the Electricity Department tableau at the recent Republic Day parade.