PUDUCHERRY: In a quiet corner of Puducherry’s Boulevard area, a modest home hides a revolutionary secret. For over two decades, Dr Brahmanand Mohanty, a retired professor from the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok and a globally respected energy expert, has been quietly leading the Union Territory’s solar transition — long before it became policy.
Back in 2001, when solar panels were still a novelty, Dr Mohanty installed a 900W off-grid system on his rooftop, one of the first in Puducherry. Over the years, that system evolved into a state-of-the-art 5kW grid-connected setup that now powers not just his home, but also his family’s electric car and scooters. His is a household that has not visited a petrol pump in over 20 years.
But Mohanty’s commitment to clean energy goes well beyond personal use. He has helped transform solar adoption across Puducherry by facilitating rooftop installations at institutions like the French Consulate, Alliance Française, École française d’Extrême-Orient, Volontariat, and several buildings of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, including its school, library, dining hall, and guesthouses. He has also encouraged private residents to adopt solar and promoted the replacement of electric geysers with heat pumps.
His home stands as a working model of low-consumption, high-efficiency living. Upgrading to a 3kW system in 2011 with energy-efficient appliances such as LED lights, smart fans, and inverter ACs, his family slashed electricity usage from over 25kWh/day to about 10 to 12kWh. By 2023, he expanded to a 5kW system — at a cost lower than his 2011 setup, thanks to falling solar prices. That same year, his system produced over 8,600 kWh, covering 125% of his household’s needs.
“For the last 14 years, we have exported more solar power than we have consumed. In fact, we have been getting returns,” he says, scrolling through real-time performance data from his remote monitoring system.
As domestic electricity tariffs rise — from `2/unit in 2011 to `7.50/unit in 2024 — the economic case for solar grows stronger. According to Dr Mohanty, a 2 to 3kW system can pay for itself in just 5 to 6 years. “You save on bills, generate your own power, and reduce grid pressure. It’s a no-brainer,” he says.
Dr Mohanty has also played a crucial role in policy formulation. He contributed to Puducherry’s Group Net Metering (GNM) regulations, a progressive policy allowing surplus energy from one solar-enabled building to offset the consumption of another. However, implementation remains a major hurdle.
“Consumers often receive inflated bills instead of credits for their solar contribution,” he notes. “Every billing cycle involves corrections — it’s frustrating.”
According to Rajesh Sanyal, Superintending Engineer of the Puducherry Electricity Department (PED), 1,230 consumers have installed rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, with `8.38 crore in subsidies disbursed so far.
Dr Mohanty is now championing a bold new idea — a rooftop solar model for below poverty line (BPL) families. Under this plan, the electricity department would install 1 to 3kW systems on thousands of BPL homes using subsidies from the PM Suryaghar scheme, with the rest financed through bank loans arranged by the DISCOM. Families would receive free electricity from day one, while revenue from surplus solar generation would repay the loan over 5 to 6 years. After that, families would begin earning from the power they export.
“This is a win-win solution,” he explains. “Families save money, DISCOMs ease their subsidy burden, and the local economy benefits. It’s inclusive green growth in action.”
He believes that with the right leadership, and efficient implementation, Puducherry can become a national model in sustainable urban energy. But he does not underestimate the obstacles — bureaucratic inertia, and a persistent disconnect between policy and practice. Still, Dr Mohanty remains undeterred.
“In a place like Puducherry, which enjoys abundant sunshine and a compact urban setup, there’s no reason why we cannot lead India’s solar movement. We just need to connect the dots between policy, people and performance.”
(Edited by Meghna Murali)