Solar plants mandatory if consuming electricity above 500 units, vehicle charging points also required

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Solar plants are being made mandatory for houses with a roof area of at least 100 square meters and consuming more than 500 units of electricity monthly. This is recommended in the draft energy policy of 2025. A plant with a capacity of at least one kilowatt should be installed, a Malayalam media reported.

Commercial customers with a building area of more than 100 square meters should install a solar plant with a capacity of at least three kilowatts and those with a building area of more than 400 square meters should install a plant with a capacity of five kilowatts. Incentives will be provided for installing these. Reports said the building construction rules will be amended in collaboration with the local self-government department for this purpose. The report also mentioned that along with the installation of solar plants, charging points for electric vehicles will also be made mandatory in buildings in urban areas.

Those who do not have a solar plant on their roofs will also get an opportunity to invest in solar energy projects. The plants will be jointly established under the leadership of groups such as residents' associations. After calculating the cost of electricity supplied to the grid, the level of investment will be used to reduce the electricity bill of consumers. Non-domestic consumers will also have the opportunity to reduce their electricity consumption by installing renewable energy plants.