150 Delhi Schools to benefit Rs17crore each from Solar power

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has set up solar rooftop 150 numbers, under a central government scheme, potentially saving Rs 433 crore for institutions grappling with high maintenance costs because to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The projects, which have a total capacity of little over 21MW, will save the schools in Delhi Rs 8.8 crore in annual power bills due to the rooftop solar plants, while also allowing them to earn an additional Rs 8.5 crore from the sale of surplus electricity generated by the solar rooftop plants to discoms. Over the 25-year life cycle of the rooftop solar projects, the savings and earnings will total more over Rs 433 crore, according to figures.

The West Vinod Nagar government school, which is in deputy CM Manish Sisodia's constituency, is home to India's largest rooftop solar installation and has a capacity of 195kWp (kilowatt peak). The rooftop solar scheme will save the institution in Delhi, Rs 8 lakh in electricity costs and generate Rs 7.7 lakh in annual revenue.

The Solar company from Delhi, who were chosen through a competitive bidding process, were responsible for the entire project's cost. The Centre covers 25% of the installation cost once a project is finished under the scheme. Over the course of the 25-year life cycle of the rooftop solar plant, the developers recoup the remaining costs. Developers in Delhi will sell power for Rs 3.13 per unit, which is a 65 percent savings on discom bills. For each unit of solar power that flows into the grid, BSES or NDPL will pay Rs 5.65 per unit to schools. This is common solar installation model and termed as RESCO model, which Bigwit Energy also undertakes.

Other solar companies in Delhi like Bigwit Energy claimed that, despite Covid disruption, the AAP government's execution allowed the 150 projects to be finished with minimum delay. "Unlike other states, which direct developers to seek out government buildings for solarization, the Delhi government identified the schools, worked up bid rules with them, and drafted a contract with them before launching the bidding. The contracts were pre-approved, so signing them once the tenders were awarded went smoothly "another company's official stated, seeking anonymity.

The solar rooftop projects are estimated to save 66,000 tonnes of CO2 emission over their lifetime and contribute to Delhi's and the country’s rooftop solarisation ambitions, in addition to being financially beneficial to schools.

Work resumed in May, and an extension until October 5 was allowed. This timetable was met for all of the projects. It's no surprise that many in the solar business like Bigwit Energy believe Delhi has set an example for how states might benefit from federal programmes if they prioritise citizen welfare over politics.

The projects were to be commissioned in May 2020, or nine months after the tender was awarded, according to the tender rules. However, development came to a halt in February, first due to adequate supply problems caused by Covid shutdowns, then because to the countrywide lockdown.

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