Rooftop Solar PV Awareness Workshop : St. Louis Church, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar
Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG) organised a Rooftop Solar Awareness Workshop on Sunday, 8th June, at St. Louis Church, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar. Thirty residents from Adyar attended the event that took place from 08:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
Workshop Overview
Ms. Aleena and Mr. Kaarmuhil, consultants from CAG, led the workshop that delivered detailed information about rooftop solar PV systems. The participants were homeowners looking to cut down on their electricity bills. During the session, participants were provided with IEC materials that addressed system basics, installation methods, financial requirements, and government incentive programs.
Fr. Ronald Richard, Madras-Mylapore Archdiocese started the session with a welcome address. Following this, Ms. Aleena addressed the participants by presenting an overview of CAG and outlining the workshop's objectives.
During the introductory session, attendees shared details about their housing types, specifying whether they lived in individual homes, apartments, or villas. The majority of the participants lived in individual houses and their biggest concern was high electricity bills. Ms. Aleena provided an in-depth presentation on rooftop solar PV systems, covering crucial topics such as:
- Determining system capacity and area requirements
- Types of systems: on-grid, off-grid, and hybrid, including their components
- Investment costs and available subsidies
- Payback period and potential returns on investment
- Key guidelines for successful installation
- Important checklists to ensure safety and efficiency
This comprehensive overview equipped participants with a thorough understanding of Rooftop Solar PV system.
Mr. Kaarmuhil, Consultant, CAG explaining about the Rooftop Solar PV system to the participants.
Participant Queries
The workshop included a Q&A session that sparked lively discussions, with participants inquiring about various aspects of rooftop solar implementation, including:
- Space requirements for installing solar panels on rooftops.
- Selecting and evaluating reliable vendors for solar installation.
- Safety measures and risk mitigation strategies.
- Technical specifications of solar panels and their integration with existing systems.
- Financial investments and expected returns on investment in rooftop solar.
CAG consultants provided comprehensive responses, addressing the technical, economic, and safety aspects of each inquiry as follows:
- Time taken to complete the installation process:
Explanation: After finalising the vendor, the actual installation of the rooftop solar system varies between 7 to 15 days, depending on the system size and the site conditions. For net metering, the time taken for approval by the distribution company (DISCOM) can vary between 7 to 14 days
- Heat effects of solar installation inside home:
Explanation: installing a rooftop solar PV system does not increase heat inside the home. In fact, solar panels help reduce heat inside homes especially during summer, by blocking direct sunlight and cooling the roof.
- Maintenance of rooftop solar PV systems:
Explanation: regular maintenance is essential for a solar PV system’s efficiency and longevity. Clean panels every 2 to 3 weeks to prevent dust buildup, and inspect for damage or loose wiring every six months.
- Time taken to receive subsidy:
Explanation: subsidy will be processed within 15 days of approval by TNPDCL. During the TNPDCL inspection, if any queries are raised, it has to be resolved before receiving a subsidy.
- Rooftop area requirement:
Explanation: 1 kW PV system requires 60-100 square feet shade-free area of roofspace. A 1-3 KW rooftop solar PV system fits easily on small terraces.
The questions led to a productive and enlightening discussion, fostering a deeper understanding of rooftop solar PV systems among the attendees.
Next Steps & Conclusion
The workshop successfully provided valuable information and insights to participants through interactive sessions, sparking significant interest in rooftop solar installation among attendees.
Ms. Aleena wrapped up the session extending thanks to all the participants. The workshop received appreciation from participants for its informative content. Attendees were encouraged to reach out to CAG for further assistance or clarification on any doubts or queries they might have. For further details, CAG has prepared an SOP for rooftop solar installations. You can access the English version here and the Tamil version here.