Solar Power: An Increasing Renewable Energy Source in Vizag

With summer being just around the corner, the threat of rising temperatures and long power cuts is gonna be a serious issue concerning the common man. To avoid such intolerable conditions the AP Electricity Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) has taken measures to provide solar energy to 171villages in and around Visakhapatnam.

“A total of 171 remote tribal villages in Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam districts would be electrified with solar rooftops”, said MM Nayak, CMD, APEPDCL ” they have already covered as many as 158 villages in which a total of 3,373 houses were given solar power.”

Encouraging people to adopt the cleaner and greener solar energy the APEPDCL has declared a subsidy. ”Consumers can avail of subsidy benefits for installation of roof-top solar plants for their homes,” said MM Nayak. The APEPDCL has taken up the program of Solar Rooftop Systems (1KW) in Vizag for the low-income group customers whose consumption is less than 200 units a month. The cost of a 1kw system is Rs 90,000 approximately. The New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation Of A.P Limited (NREDCAP) has agreed to give an upfront subsidy of Rs 37,500 which would make a huge difference in the installation cost.

Vizag has seen a lot of growth in alternate energy sources, especially in solar energy. The Visakha Port Trust (VPT) is the country’s first port to be run on solar energy. The VPT set up a solar project of 10MW, with plans to extend it to 15MW.  Visakhapatnam steel plant also has established a power plant of 5MW, harnessing solar energy.