It’s June and it’s bright and sunny at 37 degrees. Something unusual is doing the rounds in the streets of Delhi. The Solar house on wheels has made Delhi folks curious and quite keen on pursuing solar for their rooftops.
Could solar panels really bring down the number on my humongous bills? one of them asked. Not only that, you could even get paid and have environment friendly electricity right on your rooftop said Greenpeace India campaigner Vivek quickly.
The 1 BHK- lookalike bus run on CNG, houses appliances ranging from an air conditioner, television, refrigerator, washing machine, oven, cooler juicer mixer, LED bulbs and many charging points -all powered by the solar panels installed on the roof of the bus. This is demonstrating how any house, all appliances anywhere, can be powered by decentralised solar panel systems.
We had some great conversations all in all. We even debunked some common myths about the use of solar power.
The fact is that India sees 310+ sunny days annually. There couldn’t be a better time to go solar than now, think about how cheap it has become? Around 55,000 rupees per KWp (which was previously 1,00,000 rupees); it's even easy to maintain the panels. Everything is feasibly at this ripe moment with government subsidy of 30% on solar panels. Also, the grid system and net metering is available now in most cities.
The extensive mobilisation was extremely rewarding when we realised how quickly people learned of how beneficial going solar may be. Folks from different economic strata showed keen interest in going solar, and were ready to incur the cost of putting up solar panels on their rooftops.
It might be challenging to find rooftop spaces for many rental residents, but where there is a will there is a way! From providing raised structures to hold solar panels, to setting up panels in combined ground spaces, Resident Welfare Associations, schools and the Dharnai village have taken lead and shown the way.
The big message given by the street play crew, Greenpeace India’s volunteers and activists is that we need to produce energy without causing intended harm to the natural resources and that it’s cheap, easy, beneficial and eco friendly to solarise your rooftop now.
I believe that India can go solar with all my heart, and this surety comes from the enthusiasm I have seen in all the residents who have gotten themselves registered to go solar after visiting our bus and talking to our experts and campaigners regarding all their queries.
If you haven’t yet, now is the time. Go Solar!
Mahima Chauhan is an Intern at Greenpeace India