The plan of switching to solar energy, by order of
the ministry of petroleum and natural gas, will reduce the outlets' dependency
on electricity and diesel that power their generators during power cuts
although they will, of course, continue to sell polluting fossil fuel.
Dealers of oil majors Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum will have to pay the cost to set up the renewable power systems. The companies will ensure a dealer receives a subsidy of up to 40% to set up the equipment required.
A 1kW solar system costs between Rs 1.5 lakh ($3,372) and Rs 2.5 lakh ($5,620) but, according to estimates by oil companies, the dealer will save up to Rs 20,000 ($ 302.142) per month on power bills.
The cost to set up a 1kW solar system was between Rs 6 lakh ($13,488) and Rs 8 ($17,984) lakh just a few years ago but the cost of solar panels have fallen to a fourth of the price since then.
The ministry has set a target of 2,150 solar fuel-powered outlets across the country in the current year.
Dealers of oil majors Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum will have to pay the cost to set up the renewable power systems. The companies will ensure a dealer receives a subsidy of up to 40% to set up the equipment required.
A 1kW solar system costs between Rs 1.5 lakh ($3,372) and Rs 2.5 lakh ($5,620) but, according to estimates by oil companies, the dealer will save up to Rs 20,000 ($ 302.142) per month on power bills.
The cost to set up a 1kW solar system was between Rs 6 lakh ($13,488) and Rs 8 ($17,984) lakh just a few years ago but the cost of solar panels have fallen to a fourth of the price since then.
The ministry has set a target of 2,150 solar fuel-powered outlets across the country in the current year.
"Now that solar power can be optimally used
with battery storage systems, we're encouraging dealers to set up solar systems
with a capacity of between 1kW and 25kW," IOC chief divisional sales
manager V C Asokan said. “By using solar energy the dealers will save anywhere
between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000 per month, depending upon on their power
consumption."
The oil companies will primarily target fuel outlets
in rural areas, where electricity supply can be dodgy, to renewable energy
systems.
“Rural areas face power cuts for many hours a day
and fuel outlets in such areas now use generators to operate their pumps,"
Asokan said. “By setting up solar power systems, they will not be dependent on
the grid for power."
Oil company representatives will explain the
advantages of opting for solar power to owners of fuel outlets.
“The process will start only if the dealer is
interested going green. Once a dealer agrees to set up a solar power system it
will take only two months for him to receive the solar panels," IOC chief
corporate communication manager Sabitha Nataraj said.
It will also be up to the dealers to decide whether
they want a solar system or a solar-wind hybrid system, she said. The oil
companies will process the papers for them to receive the subsidy and complete
other formalities.
Culled from the Times of India
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