Uploaded on 2017-06-19 by Kartik Isaac

Two grid connected rooftop solar PV installations of 2 kW (on the roof of Ilaignarkal Education Centre, Auroville) and of 1.7 kW (on the roof of a residential building) were commissionedrecently in Auroville (Villupuram District). Both installations form part of a pilot program in which the performance of a total of four grid-connected rooftop solar PV installations will be studied. In addition to a total of three pilots in Auroville there is a pilot installation of 4kW on the roof of the TEDA office in Chennai. The pilot projects are a collaborative effort of State Planning Commission, TEDA, TANGEDCO and Auroville to demonstrate the technical viability of grid-interactive rooftop solar systems. The grid-connected rooftop solar has no land requirement, can be connected to the existing electrical infrastructure of the building – no requirement of new dedicated evacuation lines, avoids distribution losses as most of the energy generated by the solar panels on the roof will be consumed within the building, among other advantages.