Introduction 

The Industrial Units in the Kinfra Park and Industrial Development Plot at Kunnamthanam and Adoor, with the leadership of Kerala State Small Industries Association (KSSIA) Pathanamthitta District started implementing 80 ROOFTOP SOLAR POWER PLANTS. Several meetings were held to study the electricity requirements and the feasibility of putting up Renewable Energy (grid connected solar PV rooftop power plants) in each industrial shed to save the electricity cost being incurred each month and to supplement the energy requirement for the industry. Rev. Dr. Abraham Mulamoottil (President, Central Travancore Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and Mr Morley Joseph (who owns two industrial Units in the KINFRA Industrial Estates in Pathanamthitta District and President, KSSIA, Pathanamthitta) took the initiative to explore the advantages and practicality of the idea. The idea was welcomed by majority of the owners of the Industrial units and requested Rev. Dr. Abraham Mulamoottil to proceed on the proposal who in turn consulted Mr Nambiar, the Founder of the Radiant Solar Private Limited, who did the first large solar rooftop power plant (largest in Kerala at that time), during the  year 2010 for the MACFAST College (Rev. Dr. Abraham Mulamoottil was the Founder of MACFAST) to study the feasibility, rooftop shade free space availability, the Electrical Load pattern of each industry, the financial feasibility and to recommend an IDEA which will work with the minimum investment.

The Project Study

Experts from Mr. Nambiar’s company was deputed for a detailed survey of the premises to check the roof space available, the current Electrical load and the feasibility to put up the Grid connected solar PV rooftop power plants at various units.  As per the study the company consolidated the findings as below.

• 80 Industrial Units in the ID Plots, KINFRA, Kunnamthanam and Adoor locations are selected as per the survey where Solar PV power plants can be installed.
• Total capacity requirement and feasibility of these Units are 2037.5kW (2 MW).
• It starts from as low capacity as 5kW, 10kW, 12.5kW, 20kW, 30kW, 40kW 
• Higher capacity starting from 50kW, 100kW, 125kW, 200kW, 250kW.
• 11 Industrial Units require 5kW power plants. 
• 15 Industrial Units require 10kW power plants.
• 15 Industrial Units require 12.5kW power plants.
• 19 Industrial Units require 20kW power plants.
• 12 Industrial Units require 30kW power plants.
•  2 Industrial Units require 40kW power plants.
•  1 Industrial Unit requires 50kW power plant.
•  2 Industrial Units require 100kW power plants
•  1 Industrial Unit require 125kW power plan
•  1 Industrial Unit require 200kW power plant
•  1 Industrial Unit require 250kW power plant 

The Recommendations 

To the Best of the company knowledge and the experience they had with Kerala Government’s departments like Electricity Departments, ANERT and Electrical Inspectorate, following Assumptions were made while arriving the suggestions and recommendation: 

1. Upto 80% of the Electrical load installed by each Industrial Units will be permitted to install Grid Tied solar PV rooftop power plants. However, each unit should get the Feasibility letter from the Electricity department.
2. After getting the feasibility letter, these Units can connect Net Meter in replacing the existing Energy Meter to measure the import and export of the power.
3. Each Unit is paying for the Electric Power consumed @ Rs. 8 per kWh (Units of Electricity) inclusive of all Taxes, Cesses etc. 
4. It is assumed that out of the 2037kW (2 MW) of grid connected solar PV rooftop power plants recommended, it is assumed at least 80% of these Units will come forward to put up the suggested power plants.
5. The company arrived at an aggressive per Watt costing using the Best of the components available in the market on the assumption that the total capacity of this purchase will be atleast 80% of the projected requirements for 80 customers of 3 KINFRA industrial Units. Detailed Proposals (Cost, Engineering Specification and Price and Terms) were submitted to each Units.

The Economic Viability and Sustainability

The Economics of the proposal is explained below.

1. The Customers will borrow from Bank 75% of the power plant cost. The loan period is 5 years (60 Months). The maximum Interest payable is assumed 10% per year.
2. The Customers will contribute 25% of the cost.
3. The monthly liability for EMI (Principle and Interest Pay back) will set off the monthly saving in Electricity charges due to solar power generation.
4. Only money going out from Customer will be the Initial investment of 25%