Anert’s Solar City Project

May 31, 2023

The Kerala government has initiated a groundbreaking project aimed at transforming every rooftop in Thiruvananthapuram into a solar energy-producing station. This ambitious venture, led by the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (Anert), seeks to position the state capital as one of the largest ‘solar cities’ in the country. The project aims to harness the immense potential of solar energy and leverage the cost advantage offered by the availability of cheap labor in the region.

Identifying Potential Buildings for Solar Panel Installations

Anert has identified a staggering three lakh buildings suitable for the installation of solar panels, creating a solar atlas to facilitate the process.
By tapping into this vast network, Thiruvananthapuram has the potential to generate a remarkable 800 MW of solar energy.
Already, 600 government buildings have undergone solar panel installations, with an additional 150 commissioned recently.
The remaining government buildings are expected to be equipped with solar panels within the next couple of months. Furthermore, if private buildings join the initiative, an additional 700 MW of solar energy can be produced, making a significant contribution to the state’s renewable energy goals.

Promoting Solar Energy Adoption through Incentives

The Central government plays a crucial role in supporting this project by offering a substantial subsidy of 40% for 3-KW solar systems.
With this subsidy, the cost of installing a 3-KW solar system can be reduced to approximately Rs 1.6 lakh.
To further encourage the adoption of solar systems, Anert has arranged for bank stalls at the expo, enabling individuals to avail loans for their solar system purchases.
The Kerala government has also stepped in to incentivize the renewable energy option by offering up to 4% interest on bank loans for solar system purchases.

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