Solar-Other

Actor-director Sreenivasan has thus far been known to Mollywood fans for his films; they’ll now also know him as a power generator. Six months ago, Sreenivasan installed a 10 KW solar unit at his home in Kandanad, Kochi. Ranged over 1,500 sqft, the panels were not only designed to meet all his home’s energy needs, but to contribute the excess to the state electricity grid as well.

After a 6-month wait for the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to install a two-way meter to record the units of power flowing into the grid, the actor finally got it up and running last week and is all set to count himself among the state’s power suppliers.

“The new system was fixed only to contribute to the national grid, the quid pro quo being subsidized domestic power,” says Sreenivasan. However, the long wait soured the experience a little. “I can’t say I had a pleasant experience. There was no explanation for the delay,” he complains.

The actor wants to spread the message of alternative energy. “I am not sure if I will be able to generate and sell power every day. But, if I am not at home for a month and not using power, I can sell all the electricity generated (40 units per day) to the KSEB, and the amount earned can subsidize my consumption of KSEB power for other months,” he reasons.