The Pune-based Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA), set up with the objective of undertaking development of renewable energy and to facilitate energy conservation in Maharashtra, will install two grid-connected solar rooftop photovoltaic systems as demo projects in two government buildings, one each in Pune and Mumbai, in a bid to study the technical feasibility of these projects. According to a report, the study is necessary to help kick-start large-scale implementation of grid-connected solar rooftop photovoltaic systems in the state, which, said MEDA officials, is a viable option since these systems help generate power through solar energy and do not require land for installation.

Grid-connected solar rooftop photovoltaic systems, if installed on terraces, can cater to individual electricity needs, reducing the burden on the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL). The solar electric systems work on photovoltaic principle. The heart of the system is the solar cell. The single crystal silicon solar cells convert solar energy directly to electricity. This electricity then charges the battery through a battery charger. The electrical energy thus stored in the battery is then utilised through inverter (DC to AC) or converter (DC to DC) for various purposes such as lighting, pumping and running of the television, among other things.

According to MEDA sources, a simple PV system is like any other electrical power-generating device except that the equipment used is different from that used in conventional electro-mechanical generating systems. The principles of operation and interfacing with other electrical systems remain the same and are guided by a well-established body of electrical codes and standards. The main systems distributed in the field are street lights, domestic lights, water pumps, lanterns, electrical fencing, battery charger and village lighting systems. It is always better if these systems are used without battery storage unless it is a must. As per the experience of MEDA, photovoltaic systems need maintenance occasionally. In addition, the storage battery needs to be changed time to time.

MEDA has planned to install one such system of 10 kilowatt (kW) in the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board office in Navi Mumbai and another such system at a government building in Pune. "Discussions are on to install such a system on the terrace of one government building in Pune, though we are yet to finalise the building. The capacity of the system will be decided according to the space on the building's terrace. Once the system is installed, we will study technical issues such as grid integration, metering system and other safety measures required to be taken after such a system is installed," a MEDA official said, adding that a 10 kW grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic installation costs around Rs 40 lakh.

According to MEDA, if workable, the system can be used to cater to personal consumption, which is currently met by the distribution company. "This will reduce the load on MSEDCL, whose power can then be used for other productive purposes," the official said. The benefits of solar photovoltaic energy include: a) It operates on the freely available solar energy thus saving the expenditure on electricity and fossil fuels, b) No fear of power cuts, c) It is trouble-free, pollution-free and noise-free with a long life and high reliability, d) It is easy to handle and operate and e) The cost of operation and maintenance is negligible.

According to industry experts, solar power projects in Maharashtra are coming up at a slower pace than in other states due to shortage and high cost of land in the state. "Close to 34 mega watt (MW) capacity solar projects have been commissioned in Maharashtra, of which projects with a capacity of 21 MW are under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission. On the other hand, solar power projects of high capacity have been commissioned in states like Gujarat and Rajasthan, with a capacity of approximately 700 MW in Gujarat and 200 MW in Rajasthan," a MEDA official said. Maharashtra is lagging behind due to unavailability of cheap land to set up these projects as well as the absence of a 'solar policy' in the state.