It’s solar revolution in Gujarat and people are already benefitting from it. Until last summer, Hitendra Patel, a resident of Visnagar in Mehsana district of Gujarat used to shell out around Rs 2800 for his monthly electricity bill, but this time its all saving for him. He got a 2 KW Solar Rooftop Panel installed on his roof last November. It does not only caters to the electricity needs of his family, but also allows him to sell the surplus to power department. All Thanks to Modi govt for the Solar Rooftop Project which has transformed the lives of thousands. Installing this cost Rs. 80,000. In summers it produces a lot of electricity. The government also provides a subsidy of 30%.
The panels are installed on the roofs and so it doesn’t occupy a lot of space. Maintenance is almost Nil. Apart from residential complexes, Solar rooftop panels have also been installed on government buildings. Mehsana’s civil hospital, the biggest hospital in the district is also using solar energy. Hospital’s electricity bill has been slashed by almost 1/3rd. The 125 KW solar panel installed there produces 500 unit electricity every day, which amounts to Rs. 10 lakh per year.
The power generated by Solar panels goes to the grid of the electricity department, from where consumers use it as per their requirements. Mehsana is an example for all other cities and this has been possible only because of government’s constant focus and emphasis on promoting green and alternative energy.