Bonanza for solar users in Kerala; Freedom from power cuts, no need to depend on KSEB

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With load shedding returning, many rooftop solar consumers are switching to battery storage. With this, electricity will be available in homes without depending on KSEB. Although the cost of installing batteries will increase, electricity can be used without interruption.

By feeding the electricity generated at home to the KSEB grid, consumers will not have to depend on KSEB’s generosity at night. Bill settlement hassles will also be avoided. Consumers can also escape from the requirement to install solar on par with the transformer capacity.

A three-kilowatt solar plant requires Rs two lakh. A good 3.2-kilowatt battery storage requires Rs 1.20 lakh. The total cost is Rs three lakh. There is a central subsidy of Rs 78,000 for a three-kilowatt plant. But there is no subsidy for battery storage.

1 If you install a battery, you can use electricity with a stable voltage day and night without interruption. If there is any surplus, you can sell it to nearby houses or shops. You just need to get permission from KSEB for this.

2 The new amendment to the Electricity Regulatory Commission's rules has included a provision for the direct sale of electricity. Vehicle charging units can also be installed using this.

KSEB is setting up a battery energy storage system with a capacity of 125 MW and a distribution capacity of 500 MW. The construction of the first base station has begun at Mylatty in Kasaragod. It will be completed by October for Rs 550 crore. The central government will provide Rs 135 crore as a viability gap fund. The contract is with Solar Energy Corporation. Base stations will also be set up at Pothencode in Thiruvananthapuram, Sreekantapuram in Alappuzha, and Areekode in Malappuram.