Switch on to Solar
| Solar energy can emerge as a panacea for households facing huge power
bills, says N. RAVI KUMAR. |
Solar panel (in the foreground) with a water heater at the terrace of D.A.
Rajan's residence at Teynampet. — Pic. By N. Balaji
DOES YOUR electricity bill shock every time it arrives? Are
you someone who keeps devising new ways to reduce your expenditure on energy
requirements? While there is little that one can do in terms of cutting down
consumption in the face of the fast-paced life that demands greater comforts,
there is a lot that one can do by way of conserving electricity and looking at
viable alternatives. The nature offers enough ... enough to meet the burgeoning
energy requirements. It's true if you are familiar with solar energy.
What is
solar power?
Technically speaking, solar thermal energy is converting
energy radiated by sun into heat energy by a process of conduction and
convection. According to experts, the sun's energy gets converted into
electrical energy through solar photovoltaic modules.
For users, it is a viable alternative to thermal power for
operating various equipment. Some of the commonly known products that could be
run on solar energy include water heaters, cookers, air heaters, driers, meal
maker, sun-ups and door communication systems.
The applications of solar energy, according to K.E.
Ragunaathan, Chairman of Solar Energy Equipment Manufacturers Association, are
wide ranging - from powering a small calculator to an entire village. Each of
the module is designed depending on the power output required and they develop a
DC current. In other words, the power generated during sun time is used for
charging a battery, which is used during the non-sunny hours. A consultative
paper brought out recently by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission
brings out the benefits of solar energy aptly.
Covering various issues of harnessing power from renewable
energy sources, it says that the global concern over pollution problems caused
by the increase in green house gases emission and consequent climate changes has
led to a paradigm shift in the approach towards the development of energy
sector. Renewable energy sources such as wind, sun, hydropower and biomass are
abundant. Apart from augmenting the energy generation, they contribute to
improvement in the environment, energy conservation and social welfare. However,
the power generated in the country, as on March 2003, from solar photovoltaic
was 107 MW and 2.5 MW from solar power.
Why solar
power?
For the average household, however, the key benefits of
harnessing solar power are the savings on electricity bill and creating a system
that can sustain it during power cuts. According to Mr. Ragunaathan, who also
heads Solker Industries, a leading manufacturer of solar power systems, water
heaters fuelled by solar energy are cost effective and operate on proven
technology. A five-member household using three bathrooms needs a system of 100
litres per day solar water heating system that costs about Rs.18,000. "If
they purchase geysers it would cost Rs.15,000 for all the bathrooms, whereas the
energy saved by tapping solar energy will be equivalent of about 4 units a day
or about 1,700 electricity units a year. The savings at the rate of Rs.3 per
unit will work out to Rs.5,500 annually. Since the systems conform to ISI
specifications, there is little to worry in terms of their quality — the life
of the solar water heating system is about 20 years. Yet another speciality of
the systems is the back-up heaters that come in handy to heat water during rainy
days. Depending on the requirement, there are different solar power water heater
models — low, (like heating water up to 40 degrees Celsius for swimming pools)
medium (up to 65 degrees C) and high (120 degrees C for process steam)
temperature applications."
Making a strong case for popularising solar power, he points
out: "If 10,000 houses in Chennai use solar water heaters, the savings will
be about 17 mw of electricity every year. Over a period of 20 years, they can
save at least 340 mw. The savings will be much more for commercial
establishments, as the cost of power for residential use is relatively
less."
What are
the disadvantages?
If there are so many benefits, what is it that is hampering
the popularity of solar power? "It is the cost of the systems ... runs into
a few thousands... sadly people don't look at the long-term benefits, but get
bogged down by the initial expenditure," says N. Sairam of G.R.N.
Constructions. The residents association in apartments should take the
initiative, as use of solar power for common lighting could bring down the cost.
Lack of awareness and government support are other reasons,
adds Mr. Ragunaathan, pointing out that Tamil Nadu is the only State in the
country levying sales tax on solar products. "Many other States are in fact
giving tariff concessions if you use solar water heater or subsidy on purchase
of solar systems. Though the conditions are favourable in Chennai - almost
11-long-months of good sunshine — the popularity is abysmally low. This is
where a big push from the government is imperative, by way of legislations,
strict enforcement and fiscal incentives. But it is not as if the State
Government has not taken any initiatives to popularise the use of solar power.
It made installation of solar water heaters mandatory in April 2003. However,
very little has been done to propagate this news and enforce the government
order," he says.
On its part, the Chennai Corporation has made mandatory
installation of basic solar power equipment in new buildings above a certain
level of built-up areas. This, however, remains on the paper. "Most of us
show it on the drawing plan, but seldom implement as the customers are not
willing to absorb additional expenditure," says a builder. A big push like
the one that the State witnessed on the issue of rainwater harvesting is
therefore imperative.
Those using solar power systems, however, are fairly happy.
D.A. Rajan, who runs a school and is passionate about solar power, says:
"The initial investment is slightly high ... but can be recovered by way of
savings (on thermal power) in the first few years itself." He was able to
recover the Rs.13,000 on the solar water heater in three years. "I have
been using it since 1996." Mr. Rajan, who uses a solar cooker too, says one
disadvantage is the time taken to cook. But with the availability of parabolic
reflector-fitted solar cookers even this issue has been addressed.For
maintenance, he recommends, getting into an annual maintenance contract with the
equipment suppliers. According to Mr. Rajan, use of solar energy is not new as
it is not uncommon to find people in rural areas drying grains by spreading them
on the road. Renewable energy has a huge potential, he says, pointing out that
in Rajasthan a turbine is fired by solar and wind energy.
According to K. Viswanathan, father of chess grandmaster
Viswanathan Anand, who has the system installed at his residence, "in the
two years that I have been using, it has been very effective practically. It
provides hot water for three people ... is trouble-free and requires little
maintenance.
An emergency lamp and fan can also be operated through the
energy drawn from same solar panels. "Maintenance of the system is
something that is important, says cine comedian Vivek, who has installed a solar
water heater at his three-month-old house in A.V.M Colony. "For other power
requirement, I depend on the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board," he adds.
Courtesy: Property Plus, The Hindu
http://www.hindu.com/pp/2005/01/22/stories/2005012200420100.htm
