Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG) conducted a Rooftop Solar Awareness Workshop at Assumption Church Community Ground, Paruthipattu, Avadi on Sunday, 29 June, from 8.30 AM to 10.30 AM. The workshop was attended by approximately 20 householders (all living in independent homes) from Paruthipattu.
Workshop Overview
Ms. Aleena, Consultant, CAG, welcomed the participants. She introduced CAG and provided an overview of CAG's role in supporting energy transition. Ms. Aleena also explained the purpose of the workshop to participants. They also received IEC materials covering essential topics such as system fundamentals, installation procedures, investment costs and available incentives.
Mr. Subramani Muthukumar, Researcher, CAG, provided an in-depth presentation on rooftop solar PV systems. His session covered the following key aspects of rooftop solar PV systems.
- Types of rooftop solar PV Systems.
- Key guidelines and checklists for rooftop solar installation.
- Area specific requirements and capacity for installation.
- PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
Mr. Subramani Muthukumar, CAG, explaining the benefits of rooftop solar PV systems
The CAG team offered a comprehensive overview, highlighting the benefits of rooftop solar and the installation process. This equipped participants with a deeper understanding of the benefits and practical steps involved in adopting solar energy solutions.
Participants Queries and Engagement
The workshop featured a question-and-answer segment that prompted strong engagement from participants. Attendees eagerly sought clarification on various aspects of rooftop solar implementation. Some of the questions are as follows:
- A participant enquired about the time taken for the installation.
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.
- Some participants asked about the cost of installing a rooftop solar PV system.
Explanation: The cost of installing a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system varies based on factors such as system capacity, component quality, and installation specifics.
The typical cost of a 1 kW solar PV system ranges between these values:
● On-Grid system: Rs. 50,000 – Rs. 80,000
● Off-Grid system (Lead acid battery): Rs.90,000 – Rs.1,20,000
● Hybrid (Li-ion battery): Rs.1,25,000 - Rs.1,45,000
- A participant asked about space required for installation of rooftop solar PV systems.
Explanation: A 1 kW rooftop solar PV system requires approximately 60 sq.ft - 100 sq.ft of unobstructed shadow shadow-free area on the rooftop.
Next Steps & Conclusion
The workshop was highly informative and engaging, offering valuable insights to prospective consumers. Some of the participants expressed interest in installing rooftop solar systems Ms. Aleena, Consultant, CAG concluded the session, and participants expressed their appreciation for the initiative.
Fr. Ronald Richard extended thanks to the participants and the CAG team. The participants were asked to contact CAG in case of any doubts or queries. For further details, CAG has prepared an SOP for rooftop solar installations. You can access the English version here and the Tamil version here.