A small house on wheels with all the electrical appliances used in a typical household — but all powered by rooftop solar panels and within approachable budget — the Solar Comet was flagged off on the World Environment Day for a 20-day tour.
The solar bus is expected to bust myths and create awareness about solar power. Lit up with power saving LED bulbs, the Solar Comet with its modern fixtures houses mobile charging points, a mixer grinder, an air cooler, a refrigerator, washing machine and even an air conditioner. While the temperature outside soared beyond 40 degrees Celsius, the mini-house with necessary furniture has an ambient environment.
Pujarini Sen, climate and energy campaigner, Greenpeace India notified that this project fitted with a 2 kilowatt rooftop panel demonstrates how solar power can easily run an entire household — even heavier appliances like air conditioner.
The ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) offers a 30% national incentive for installing a solar power panel. Besides this, grid connectivity through net metering allows a consumer to sell the excess amount of electricity generated to the main grid and save up on their power bills.
Director of Energy Programme at TERI Giritsh Sethi, who flagged off the bus, hoped that by roping in RWAs directly the comet will be able to bring in a change.
By Baishakhi Dutta
