Government schools in Delhi are eyeing substantial income, apart from significant reduction in electricity bills, as they start earning money by selling electricity generated by the rooftop solar systems installed on their buildings. Under the Centre’s scheme for government building solarisation, the Delhi government has developed over 21 mega-watt (MW) of solar rooftop plants on 150 government schools. These are expected to save about Rs 8.8 crore on their electricity bills cumulatively each year, apart from earning Rs 8.5 crore from selling power.
The rooftop plants are being installed under the ‘Resco’ model, wherein solar projects are built and operated by the developer using its own capital, taking the financing burden off from the schools. The developer will get Rs 3.13 for every unit of electricity being generated by the rooftop plants from the schools. The rate is 65% lower than the electricity tariffs paid by the schools to the power distribution companies (discoms). For any surplus power generated, the discoms would buy the electricity from the schools at Rs 5.65 per unit.
