This man from Hubballi uses solar power to meet all his needs. He has also installed small solar panels on windows and balconies which generate small quantities of energy to light up the veranda and bed lamps.
A Solar idea
Sanjay Deshpande, a Hubballi-based architect, is on a mission to encourage solar energy. His ideas can have a more significant impact on human lives.
The 47-year-old uses solar power to meet the energy needs of his entire house and also office. Moreover, he drives an electric car and also runs solar-powered pumps to water his garden. In economic terms, he said his savings are Rs 18,000 per month, and apart from this, he earns Rs 1,000 from the power supply company by selling the solar power he generates.
It was his friend’s father who had advised Sanjay to place a solar panel outside the window to guard the room against scorching sunlight and also to develop the energy to run the fan throughout the night without any trouble.
“Earlier, I used to pay Rs 4,000 as electricity bill. I have two-electric vehicles, household machinery, pumps to water the terrace garden, fountains, and more. Last year, I installed solar panels on the rooftop. I was given permission to set up a solar system that generates an average of 4.2 kW of solar energy, which is supplied to the Hubballi Electricity Supply Company (Hescom) after my usage. Hescom, after deducting my electricity bill, returns anywhere between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 every month,” he says.
He has also placed small solar panels on windows and balconies which generate small quantities of energy to light up the veranda and bed lamps. There are many lights that automatically come on after dusk with the help of sensors reducing wastage.
An eco-friendly lifestyle
Sanjay has also explained how he had installed small solar panels on windows and balconies which develop small quantities of energy to light up the veranda and bed lamps.
“There are many lights that automatically come on after dusk with the help of sensors reducing wastage,” he said.
Besides this, he has also turned his office too green. Six months ago, he installed solar panels of 3kW capacity and has not used power supplied by Hescom since then, and pays only the meter charges every month. “There are three types of solar panels – monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film. I installed monocrystalline panels which are highly efficient even during rain and generate over 60 percent power,” he adds.
Every day, the 47-year-old travels up to 50 and 60 km to reach various work locations. His wife too uses an electric car to go to the office. Before, their monthly fuel cost was around Rs 18,000 and now they shifted to electric vehicles, saving money and the environment.
Apart from enforcing eco-friendly concepts in new constructions in Hubballi-Dharwad, he tries to urge the government to encourage solar power and to give big subsidies for related equipment. In a letter to PM Modi, he wrote, “Instead of giving free electricity to farmers and the poor, the government should supply them with solar power generating equipment which is a one-time investment and also runs without any power supply disruption.”
“Everyone should make use of solar energy as it is abundantly available and makes us self-reliant. You will get back the investment in solar energy systems in 4-5 years. As they run for another 10-15 years, you will save much money on power bills. The government should come up with new policies to promote solar energy,” he concludes.
