BHUBANESWAR: With the installation of over 38,000 rooftop solar systems across its operational area in western Odisha, the Tata Power Western Odisha Distribution Limited (TPWODL) has achieved a major milestone of enabling an annual reduction of nearly 1.32 lakh tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
The utility said that it has achieved installation of 38,638 rooftop solar systems, with a cumulative capacity of 111.42 MW, under Prime Minister Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and TPWODL’s consumer-friendly ULA (utility led aggregation) model.
Of the total systems, 38,025 have been installed for domestic consumers under the central scheme while 613 commercial establishments have adopted rooftop solar. During the past month alone, an additional 11.922 MW of rooftop solar capacity was added.
TPWODL CEO Parveen Verma said the initiative is estimated to save nearly 1.30 lakh tonnes of coal every year, with its environmental impact equivalent to planting around 60 lakh mature trees annually.
Apart from environmental gains, the programme has also delivered significant financial benefits. In June this year, 10,112 households in TPWODL’s operational area recorded zero-unit electricity bills after generating sufficient power through rooftop solar systems.
Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, consumers installing a 3 kW rooftop solar system costing about Rs 2 lakh can avail subsidies of up to `1.38 lakh, while a 2 kW system costing around Rs 1.40 lakh qualifies for assistance of up to Rs 1.10 lakh.
TPWODL’s 1 kW ULA model enables eligible households to install rooftop solar by paying just Rs 1,875, along with warranty support for equipment and solar panels.