As part of the policy, power consumers have to purchase the solar photovoltaic panels, bidirection meters and other equipment and install them on the roof top of their houses facing preferably east direction. Domestic power consumers, commercial establishments and industrial houses having three phase power connection can avail this facility. Non Conventional Energy Corporation of Andhra Pradesh will provide subsidy to the extent of 30% while state government provides 20% and the remaining amount has to be borne by the consumer who wants to install such equipment.
The eastern power distribution company limited authorities maintain that a double-bedroom house requires the solar power equipment having the capacity to generate one lakh kilo watts of power and in order to install the equipment it costs nearly Rs one lakh. NEDCAP will provide subsidy for purchase of equipment and also for installation. The bidirectional meter fixed to the equipment helps import and export of power and in the event of power is being generated more than requirement of a specific consumer, such surplus power will be exported to the grid and the consumer who will be known as ‘Prosumer’ will get the amount remitted to his account.
Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission will fix the cost of the unit of power exported from a prosumer to the grid on a regular basis and the Discoms will remit such amount to the prosumers twice in a year.
In the event of less quantum of generation of power from the solar power unit by the prosumer, he or she will import the power from the grid automatically and accordingly, the prosumer is supposed to pay the bill to the power authorities.
Though the state government has come up with the new solar power policy several months ago, the power authorities failed to give adequate publicity to encourage the power consumers to opt for solar energy.
Divisional electrical engineer B. Rajeswari said, “We appeal to the power consumers to opt for solar power as it is having multiple benefits of savings on power consumption, helping the state by giving surplus power and protecting the environment.”
Meanwhile, Collector Neetu Kumari Prasad at a meeting held at Kakinada called upon the consumers of domestic, commercial and industrial categories to avail the solar power. She released a brochure underlining the importance of opting for solar power and benefits for using such power.”
