BEST electricity consumers opting for rooftop solar installations

The number of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) electricity consumers in the island city are steadily switching to rooftop solar. Around 349 consumers opted for rooftop panels under the central scheme. According to an official, the maximum consumers are in the A ward with 89 connections and the D and F wards with 51 connections each. About 79 residential consumers had rooftop panels below 20 KWh and 88 above 20 KWh. The number of consumers is further likely to increase. For commercial users, 97 consumers have opted for solar panels, while 77 institutions and public service organisations have rooftop solar panels. Rooftop solar consumers can save monthly electricity bills through Net Metering. Recently, BEST announced a 40% subsidy for rooftop solar installations. It will cater to 580 KWp of solar power capacity in the city, along with financial support from the government. Some power utility (PU) firms, including Adani Electricity and Tata Power in Mumbai, announced a similar rooftop scheme with the support of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in Delhi. The residential consumers opted for a minimum 1 KWp solar panel, which generates around 1,400-1,500 units per year, which comes to 125 units per month. Net metering ensures that power generated goes to the grid and adjusted against the consumer's monthly electricity bill. The savings can range from Rs 800-2,400 per month, depending on 1-3 KWp of solar panel installed. Image Source Also read: Maha govt to provide subsidy to residential users for rooftop solar