JOIN USSolar power consumers can now sell excess power they generate to Bescom under the new Karnataka Solar Policy 2013.
Bescom Managing Director Pankaj Kumar Pandey on Tuesday said that during the day, when usage of power is minimal, electricity generated through solar panels can be supplied to the power grid, and, in the evening, when power is needed in larger quantity, consumers can draw power from the grid. At the end of the month, consumers will be paid for difference of electricity used and supplied. After a meeting with the chief secretary, the project will be implemented. It will be first introduced in Bangalore and then in other cities.
Briefing reporters on the sidelines of the workshop on 'Electricity Governance & Planning in Karnataka' organised by the Department of Management Studies, IISc and CIVIC, Bangalore, he said that to supply power, consumers need a rooftop space of 100-200 sq ft to instal a solar panel, import-export meter, inverter and protection mechanism. Solar panels generate DC power, which needs to be converted to AC power before being supplied to the grid.
Live injection line
There is a need for a live injection line. It is important that power does not flow back through these lines, during load-shedding. Further, the power passing through should not affect linemen during maintenance works. Such technical details are being looked into, after which applications will be called for supplying power to grid, he explained.
This, he added, is being done to attract more people to use solar energy and generate electricity. The initial cost of installing one panel would be around Rs 1.25 lakh for 1 kw and subsidy can be obtained for installation. While supplying, if one has taken the subsidy, he will be charged Rs 7.50 per unit and in case of non-subsidy the rate will be Rs 9.50, as per the KERC order.