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Time of India
18 hours 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. "
CairoScene
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
SPOTLIGHT: Saudi Bags Label Dania Shinkar Delivers Playful Luxury
Dania Shinkar's bags don't just hold your essentials - they also hold attention. The Brand Sculptural, playful, and precise, Dania Shinkar's bags sit somewhere between accessory and object. With Saudi roots, Italian production, and an Irish HQ, the label is geographically unbound - but its identity is distinct. The Design Language Bold curves, clever details, and a measured dose of drama define the collection. The Mini Gaga and Mila bags, with their spherical handles, could easily pass as modern sculpture. The Dana bag plays with perspective, using a double-frame illusion to trick the eye - a quiet design sleight of hand that happens to be Shinkar's personal favourite. The Mila, slouchy and jewelled, has all the presence of a protagonist. Dania Shinkar in Three Words 'Contemporary, nostalgic, and sustainable,' says Dania Shinkar, founder and creative director. The Founder Shinkar holds both a BA and MA from the London College of Fashion. Her interest in design was sparked early, watching her mother dress for special occasions. 'I was fascinated by how she paired her accessories and curated every detail of her look,' she says. That early instinct matured into a design philosophy rooted in experimentation. 'There are no rules in fashion' is the lesson she carried from London, and it shows. Her work leans into texture, form, and silhouette - unafraid of unexpected embellishments or vintage references. The Muse Saudi culture is central to Shinkar's design lens. She draws inspiration from Jeddah's Al Balad district, the coral reefs of the Red Sea, and antique jewellery. 'Architecture informs my shapes, while art influences my use of colour,' she tells SceneStyled. Her bags may echo heritage, but their execution is unmistakably contemporary - thanks to the precision of Italian artisans, whom she calls the 'undisputed masters of leather goods.' 'I love revisiting classic silhouettes and giving them new context,' she adds. Her reimaginings of the '90s baguette and hobo bag offer a quiet nod to nostalgia, made current through detail and structure. The Craft Shinkar's work is detail-driven, right down to her choice of materials. She combines silky satin and structured Italian leather with crystal embellishments and vintage-inspired hardware. Everything is intentional: the curved handles, the metal closures, the colour palette that moves from caramel neutrals to pastel blush to deep, metallic red. Even her sustainability practices feel specific. She uses ethically sourced leather and eco-conscious acetate, repurposing leftover scraps into sleek cardholders. The Process 'Playful luxury' is how she frames her work - serious craftsmanship with room for joy. Ideas come quickly. 'Sometimes I see a design so clearly, I have to sketch it on the spot,' she says. From there, it's about refining proportions, prototyping with 3D paper models, and iterating until the final product holds. 'I'm always thinking about the person who'll carry it - how it feels in their hands, how it fits into their life.' If she had to imagine her bags on anyone, it would be Carrie Bradshaw. And if you're styling one? 'Let the bag lead,' she says. Whether worn against head-to-toe neutrals or thrown over something oversized and undone, the goal is to give it room to speak. The Verdict Dania Shinkar's bags don't shout - but they don't need to. With a language of their own, they balance nostalgia and modernity, fun and form. They look just as at home at a gallery opening as they do on a brunch banquette - or simply sitting still on a side table, catching the light.
