Thiruvananthapuram: Around 66,000 households in Kerala will soon be solar powered as the central government has approved the scheme of 200 megawatt in Kerala. In the Soura project by Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), solar panels will be installed through subsidy on rooftops of houses to utilise sunlight to generate solar power. The registration in this scheme is underway.

Earlier 50 MW project was already approved. 8000 people have already registered in the project so far. From the solar panels to be installed by them, 30 MW solar power can be generated.

The panel of contractors has been prepared. The applicants can select the contractors. The panels will be installed by contractors in association with KSEB.

There are two models for the project – the Kerala model and the central government model. In Kerala model, the cost of installation of the plant is shared between the consumer and KSEB. A share of the solar power generated will be given to the consumer in proportion to his/her share in the installation expense.

If 12 percent of the expense is taken by the consumer, 25 percent of the solar power generated can be consumed. If 20 percent is spent, 40 percent of solar power and for 25 percent, 50 percent of solar energy generated can be utilized. KSEB will share the amount subtracting subsidy.

In central government model the installation cost subtracting subsidy should be spent by the consumer. The whole of the generated power can be utilized by them.

If a 1 KW plant is installed, an average of 120-unit electricity can be generated per month. The plant requires 100 square metres area.

If a 3 KW plant is installed, 720 units can be generated in two months. The same amount of power if bought from KSEB, would cost Rs. 4500, said Soura Nodal Officer and Deputy Chief Engineer A Nasaruddin.

In Kerala model, a consumer if shared 12 percent of installation cost, has to pay subsidized amount Rs 15,120. If 20 percent it is Rs 25,200 and if 25 percent, it is Rs 31,500. From this, 25 to 50 percent of the generated power can be consumed. For 2 KW, the cost would be Rs 10,320, Rs 17,200 and Rs 21,500 respectively.

In case of the central government model, the expense for consumer would be Rs 51,599 for 2 KW, for 3 KW it would be Rs 75,000, for 4 KW it would be Rs 1,06,340 and for 10 KW it would be Rs 3,02,660.

KSEB informed that the installation of solar plants, in houses that have applied by now, would be completed by March.