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Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Solar Projects A Ray Of Hope To Curb Electricity Budgets
Pune: When Park Royale, a housing society with 433 flats in Wakad, first installed a solar project seven years ago, the pilot phase yielded promising results. Encouraged, they scaled up the total capacity to 172.5-kW and today, their annual electricity expenses for common amenities in the complex have dropped from Rs62 lakh to just Rs13.5 lakh — almost a fifth of costs — thanks to the switch to solar. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This reduced expenditure even includes the Rs7 lakh used for operating their society's sewage treatment plant (STP), which now runs on a green meter (providing subsidized govt charges for power). Society chairman Manoj Shinkar told TOI, "Initially, we had installed a 30-kW solar plant in 2018, and the investment was recovered in just two years as we also received govt subsidy on it. Encouraged by the savings, we expanded the project gradually in four different phases and reached 172.5-kW by 2023." Park Royale is one of the housing societies in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad that are choosing to significantly cut down on electricity costs by switching to solar power. By installing rooftop solar systems, many societies have managed to power all their common area facilities—lifts, water pumps, and lighting—entirely through solar energy. Members of such societies say the move has led to substantial savings, amounting to lakhs of rupees annually, allowing them to reduce monthly maintenance charges for residents. Shinkar echoed that the benefits get passed on to flat owners. "Earlier, we charged Rs3 per sqft as maintenance. This has reduced to Rs2.5 per sqft—one of the lowest maintenance charges by any housing society in Wakad and nearby areas," he said. The entire solar setup cost the society Rs95 lakh by 2023, and the agency will handle maintenance for the next five years after each installation at no extra cost as per the agreement. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now With money saved on power bills, the society has also invested in other infrastructure upgrades, including a Rs15 lakh waste composting plant. Additionally, all common areas are now equipped with energy-efficient LED lighting to further reduce power consumption. Another such example is the La Melosa Housing Society — also in Wakad — which has 234 flats. The society installed a 76-kW solar system in March this year. Society chairman Jasbir Singh said, "Over the last two months, our common electricity bill dropped from an average of Rs2-Rs2.4 lakh per month to just Rs3,500 per month. The difference is staggering." Singh said the installation agency estimated annual savings of Rs18 lakh, considering that power generation from solar systems usually reduces during the monsoon season and one may need to pay more towards electricity bills during that period."We spent Rs35 lakh on the project after receiving govt subsidy and expect to recover this cost in two years," he added. The society financed the project internally and plans to reduce the monthly maintenance fee once the investment is recovered. "For any housing society, electricity and water are the major expenses covered under maintenance. If we manage these efficiently, the overall cost for residents can be brought down significantly. That's why every society should consider installing solar systems," Singh said. Besides large complexes, many smaller residential establishments are also adopting solar energy, such as the Bhagyashree Apartments in Pune's Kothrud. The 10-flat residential building was recently recognized and felicitated by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) as the first fully solar-powered residential apartment in the entire district. The society had initially installed an 11-kW solar system two years ago to power common amenities. Encouraged by the savings and efficiency, residents decided to extend solar power usage to all individual flats. Accordingly, in Jan this year, they added another 19-kW system, including -1-kW system for four flats, 2-kW for three flats and 3-kW for the remaining three flats, making the entire building solar powered. Mandar Deshmukh, a resident here, said, "Earlier, the monthly electricity bill for my individual flat was around Rs2,000. Since switching to solar, it has dropped to zero." The building now has a total of 30-kW rooftop solar capacity, which meets the entire electricity demand of all 10 flats and common areas, making it a model for sustainable residential living. Solar agencies confirmed that they are getting increased inquiries from housing societies — but added that many hesitate to install it due to shortage of funds. On average, it costs around Rs25 lakh to install a 50-kW solar project. "However, housing societies can also opt for OPEX (operating expense model), under which the third-party vendor owns, installs, operates and maintains the solar system, and the housing society only pays for their consumption, with fixed and reduced rates compared to normal electricity charges charged by MSEDCL," a solar agency operator said, adding that the vendor and societies make an agreement for a fixed period after which the complete set-up is given to the housing society for free. The operator said, "If societies want to fund the project on their own, agencies also help them get a subsidy of Rs18,000 per kW from state govt." There has been a surge in demand from residential properties for solar system installation in the last one-and-a-half years, particularly after govt launched the 'PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana', said SunGet Solar Infra owner Dipak Kotkar. Under this scheme, consumers with individual flats or houses are provided financial assistance of Rs30,000 per kW project (which for society complexes is Rs18,000 per kW). "We had to increase our manpower after this scheme was launched as it has received a very good response. There is a need to simplify the process so that more people can apply for it," Kotkar told TOI. "For instance, the govt online portal keeps getting upgraded, so data of earlier applications is lost and needs to be constantly refilled. Further, there are no dedicated offline govt centres for troubleshooting glitches, only call centres," he elaborated. Confirming the reaction to the scheme, Sunil Kakde, chief engineer of MSEDCL Pune zone, said, "There has been a good response to the PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana from housing societies as well as individual households. Residents are widely utilizing the scheme mainly to power common facilities, such as water pumps and lifts, using solar energy. Govt provides 18,000 per kW subsidy to projects at housing societies up to 500-kW capacity. "
The Hindu
a day ago
- General
- The Hindu
Overflowing sewage raises a stink at Durgam Cheruvu
The joy of entering the ticketed Durgam Cheruvu Park for free disappears quickly. 'Chee. Let's get out,' says a young girl to her friends as they try to dodge the smelly sludge strewn on the pathway. Within a few minutes of entering the park, the overpowering stench of sewage hits the visitor like a gut punch. The stench is not just of the lake but from the sewage that is currently overflowing over the walking track before entering the lake. 'It has been like this for the past one month and we stopped collecting fares from visitors. Till the parallel sewerage line is ready, this will remain like this,' says a park attendant pointing to the road on the other side of the Durgam Cheruvu Park. The Durgam Cheruvu Park has been a showpiece of lake reclamation project by various civic bodies of Hyderabad which has laid 900 mm sewerage pipelines, 2.2 km walking tracks of nine-metres width, pond for immersion of idols, and recreation spaces. 'The sewerage pipeline that goes around the lake got blocked and that's why there is an overflow,' says a worker attached to the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). The sanitation workers have created a workaround with the sewerage being let into the STP along with the lake water for processing. 'The pipeline taking the sewage around the lake got blocked leading to flooding of the park. Now the water is being let into the STP for treatment,' says a worker at the site where the foul sewage of the surrounding colonies roars through the pipeline and mixes with the bright green sludge of the Durgam Cheruvu water. The Telangana State Pollution Board identified a nala on the northern side of lake as the source of sewage flowing into it. It also identified six storm water drains, 'The only scope for pollution of the lake is due to joining sewage through the nala in the North direction,' it noted. But as the lake sits in a valley surrounded by hillocks, IT companies, residential complexes, and shopping malls, the source of pollution is no longer limited to the nala during monsoon. The lake park was developed at a cost of Rs. 13 crore under a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority mapped the lake in 2014 and estimated its spread at 160.700 acres. The residents of surrounding areas of the lake contend that the lake is only 65 acres. The Telangana State Pollution Control Board estimated the lake to be 83 acres.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
People urged to celebrate high street heroes for 2025 Scotland Loves Local Awards
You can also put your home area forward for national accolades including Town of the Year. People across Lanarkshire are being urged to celebrate their high street heroes. Nominations have opened for the 2025 Scotland Loves Local Awards, celebrating the people and organisations who make communities better places to live, work and visit. And the region's residents are being encouraged to nominate those who they would like to be named as High Street Hero for Central Scotland. People can also put their home area forward for national accolades including Town of the Year. The awards are organised by Scotland's Towns Partnership (STP) as an extension of its wider Scotland Loves Local campaign encouraging people to back enterprises and organisations in their communities. STP chief officer Kimberley Guthrie said: 'Every day, people and organisations go above and beyond to make their communities better and I've been lucky to meet a few of them and see what brilliant work they do. "The impact of that determination to make a difference should never be underestimated. 'The Scotland Loves Local Awards are an opportunity to recognise and reward that success, celebrating collective and individual achievements. They are a fantastic way to say a special thank you.' The awards highlight the innovation and collaboration which will make towns and neighbourhoods stronger and more sustainable. The categories nationally are: Eight High Street Hero Awards will also be presented - one in each of the Scottish Parliament electoral regions - recognising a person or organisation who makes life better in their area. Award nominations can be made at where full category criteria can also be found. There, you can briefly share the details of your nominee and why you would like to see them recognised. The closing date for nominations is 5pm on Wednesday, August 30. Finalists will be announced in September with presentations made to winners in October. A special reception will then take place in Edinburgh in November.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Show the love for high street heroes in West Lothian by nominating them for award
Jim Allan from Bathgate was last year's winner for the region West Lothian residents are being urged to nominate their high street heroes for this year's Scotland Loves Local Awards. The awards celebrate the people and organisations who make communities better places to live, work and visit. Residents in West Lothian as well as those across Edinburgh, East Lothian, and Midlothian are being encouraged to nominate those they would like to see crowned High Street Hero for the Lothian region. Eco warrior Jim Allan, from Bathgate, an influential force in West Lothian Litter Pickers and its work to clear hundreds of tonnes of rubbish from local streets and spaces was last year's winner. Now in their fifth year, the awards are organised by Scotland's Towns Partnership (STP) as an extension of its wider Scotland Loves Local campaign encouraging people to back enterprises and organisations in their own communities. People can also put their home area forward for national accolades including Town of the Year. STP Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie said: 'Every day, people and organisations go above and beyond to make their communities better and I've been lucky to meet a few of them and see what brilliant work they do. 'The impact of that determination to make a difference should never be underestimated. 'The Scotland Loves Local Awards are an opportunity to recognise and reward that success, celebrating collective and individual achievements. They are a fantastic way to say a special thank-you.' The awards highlight the innovation and collaboration which will make towns and neighbourhoods stronger and more sustainable. The categories nationally are: ● Town of the Year ● Most Enterprising Community ● Place Leader of the Year Eight High Street Hero Awards will also be presented - one in each of the Scottish Parliament electoral regions - recognising a person or organisation who make life better in their area. The closing date for nominations is Wednesday, August 30 at 5pm. Finalists will be announced in September with presentations made to winners in October and a special reception will take place in Edinburgh in November.
Hans India
4 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Water Board MD inspects sewage works at Amberpet
Hyderabad: Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) MD, Ashok Reddy, along with Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation commissioner, RV Karnan and Musi River Front Development Corporation Limited MD, Narasimha Reddy on Monday inspected the ongoing construction of the 212.5 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Amberpet. The inspection was part of the STP Construction Project Package-1. Ashok Reddy said that the works related to the construction of a 212.6 MLD capacity STP are almost completed and will be commissioned in the next few days. On his visit, accompanied by Hyderabad water board ED Mayank Mittal and officials from various departments, Ashok Reddy reviewed the progress at the site and urged authorities to fast-track the final stage works. He directed that the STP be readied for operation in coming days. The MD emphasised that civil works, internal roads, CC roads, landscaping, and painting should be taken up on a war footing to ensure the plant is fully prepared for inauguration. He stressed the importance of safety at construction sites, insisting that all workers adhere to safety protocols and use the required protective equipment. During the visit, officials also examined different phases of the construction to assess overall progress.
