Chennai RWA wins Tamil Nadu award for largest solar installation

Bollineni Hillside Phase I, a 1,295-unit residential community off Old Mahabalipuram Road in Chennai, has installed a 194 kW rooftop solar system, the largest by any residents' welfare association in Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu Solar Energy Developers Association (TNSEDA) gave the award for the installation, which powers the community's sewage and water treatment plants.

The project cost Rs 1.1-1.2 crore. Under the central PM Surya Ghar scheme, the RWA received a Rs 35 lakh subsidy, bringing the net investment to Rs 85 lakh. The community expects annual savings of Rs 25 lakh and a payback period of 3.5 to 4 years. The system was split into two 97 kW units to avoid higher fixed charges for installations above 100 kW.

The RWA said finding a vendor who could process the subsidy was the toughest part. They eventually selected Vesat Renewables Private Limited, based in Coimbatore, through a recommendation from the Federation of OMR Residents Association. The community estimates savings of over Rs 7 crore over the system's 25-year life.