Shiv Bhole Cooperative Group housing society in Dwarka sets an example for about 250 housing societies, by installing a grid-connected rooftop solar plant. This is the first plant inaugurated under BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd. (BRPL) 'Solar City Initiative - Solarise Dwarka' initiative, since its launch in early January this year. The Solarise Dwarka initiative is implemented by BRPL in collaboration with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), under the Indo-German Solar Partnership project.

The plant was inaugurated by Dr Wolfram Klein – Head of Division India; South Asia, German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Dr Klein is visiting India on the occasion of annual Indo-German bilateral consultations. ‘It is quite encouraging to witness people participating in the energy transition in India: that is the only way to have a sustainable energy transformation; similar to what we see in Germany’ said Dr Klein.

The 100 kWp solar plant installed would save roughly Rs 3.4 lacs annually for the society. The plant is installed by Green Ripples Pvt. Ltd. following the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) business model, which entails providing electricity as a service at a cost identified through the competitive bidding. The cost to housing society is 2.66Rs/kWh net of Generation based incentive and is 2.44Rs/kWh less than the tariff from BRPL. The bidding was administered by Indraprastha Power Gas Company Limited for 84 MWp capacities.

Residents of Shiv Bhole housing society are quite enthusiastic about the solar plant. Mr Anant Kumar, Resident Welfare Association RWA secretary said that ‘in view of the potential cost savings and environmental benefits, the society members took a unanimous decision for installing solar’. He further added that ’the business model offered by the installer wherein society doesn’t have to invest any amount, led to our quick decision’. 

BRPL is one of the few progressive distribution companies across India, who has welcomed the solar revolution and hence, sees unique benefits of adding distributed generation in its network. BRPL, quoted ‘We would like to achieve at least 2.5MW of solar installation within Dwarka. BRPL is convinced of the increased role solar and other green energy would play going forward. We want to lead from the front.’ 

The Indo-German Solar Partnership significantly aims to raise awareness through outreach campaigns for aggregating demand of solar rooftop systems. On this occasion Dr Winfried Damm, Energy Cluster Coordinator, GIZ India said ‘the solar plant will be able to save around 32 per cent of a resident’s annual carbon emission’. GIZ India is proud to be associated with this initiative. GIZ further plans to upscale the demand aggregation model in other cities, as a support to the Indian Government in achieving its rooftop solar targets by 2022.