Solar rooftop 50% cheaper than diesel generator sets

Recommending the housing societies to replace the diesel generator sets with the rooftop solar power systems, a study by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) finds the clean energy option financially more attractive.

The study said the cost of power generation from a diesel generator set, including the capital cost, is Rs 27 to Rs 33 per unit as compared to rooftop solar tariff of less than Rs 10 per unit.

“In all the residential societies that CSE studied, the cost of power from solar rooftop with battery backup was found to be about half the cost of power generated by diesel generator sets,” said Chandra Bhushan, Deputy Director General at CSE.

According to the study, up to 3 giga-watt of solar rooftop can be installed in new residential societies over the next five-seven years.

The study points out the diesel generator sets have become more redundant due to reducing power outrage in cities. Read more…