Of all the monthly expenses incurred by housing societies for common area activities, electricity bills often stand out as the largest expenditure. It's a moral obligation of solar-powered housing associations to raise awareness among residents about the substantial cost reduction achievable by utilizing solar energy for housing societies.

The rooftop space in a housing society is typically owned by its Residents Welfare Association (RWA). Over a span of a decade, the corpus generated through residents' monthly maintenance charges can accumulate to significant amounts. When the solar power housing committee, often led by the RWA, invests this corpus in the installation of a solar power system for the housing society, they are effectively investing in generating free electricity. This electricity powers common area amenities such as water pumps, lifts, parking and floor lights, among other facilities.

At FERT Solar, we understand that RWAs require a hassle-free solar installation. That's why we offer a 5-year Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC), guaranteeing the regular cleaning and maintenance of the solar panels for housing societies over the next five years. Once you're our client, whether your rooftop solar power system for the housing society generates electricity is our concern, not yours!"

The functionality of a solar power system for housing societies aligns closely with that of an individual house. The key distinction lies in the scale of power generation. Here's how it works:

Sunlight falls on the housing society's solar panels, where photovoltaic (PV) cells convert this light into DC (direct current) power.

A solar inverter then converts the DC power into AC (alternating current) power, making it compatible with the electrical systems used in common areas.

The generated AC power is channeled through a bi-directional meter, specifically designed to manage the collective energy needs of the housing society.

This bi-directional meter plays a pivotal role in tracking the units of electricity imported from the grid and, conversely, the excess units exported back to the grid. Here's how the meter operates:

If the housing society consumes more electricity than the solar system generates, and additional power is drawn from the DISCOM (Distribution Company), the society is billed for the imported electricity.

Conversely, if the solar system produces surplus power, and this power is supplied to the grid, the DISCOM compensates the housing society for the electricity it contributes.

Harnessing solar energy for your housing society presents a multitude of benefits. What you invest initially is rapidly recovered within 3 to 5 years, unlocking nearly 25 years of free electricity. The advantages include:

Substantial Reduction in Common Area Electricity Costs:

Installing a solar power system drastically reduces the common area utilities electricity bill, leading to significant cost savings.

Environmental Responsibility:

1. The integration of solar power significantly reduces the housing society's carbon footprint, contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly environment.
2. Enhanced Rooftop Maintenance: Solar panel installation improves rooftop maintenance by providing shade and protection, prolonging the roof's lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.
3. Improved Comfort: The installation of a solar power system results in a cooler rooftop. This not only benefits the rooftop but also has a positive impact on the building's overall temperature, creating a more comfortable living environment. 
4. The savings achieved in the common area electricity bill can be directed towards various community enhancements, such as bolstering security, establishing recreational areas, rainwater harvesting, and more.

For residents, the advantages are equally compelling:

1. Reduced Common Area Maintenance Charges (CAM).
2. Homeowners enjoy reduced CAM charges for common area electricity due to solar power utilization, leading to lower monthly expenses.
3. Sustainable Living.
4. Residents take pride in residing in a society committed to sustainable living and renewable energy adoption.
5. Increased Property Value.
6. Properties equipped with rooftop solar systems command higher sale or rental prices, offering homeowners the opportunity to maximize returns on their investments in solar-equipped properties.

1. When the solar power housing committee decides to transition to solar energy for housing societies, it's a collective decision that directly impacts the residents. As the corpus fund essentially represents the contributions of the residents, securing the approval of the residents is paramount.
2. Obtaining resident approval for the installation of solar power housing systems can be a lengthy process, often involving an Annual General Meeting (AGM) where the Residents Welfare Association (RWA) must garner the necessary consent.
3. Recognizing the complexities of aligning resident perspectives, FERT Solar is dedicated to providing comprehensive support to the solar power housing association in preparing for the AGM. We take pride in our consultative approach, aiming to educate the management committee on the financial advantages of embracing solar power housing systems.
4. By choosing FERT Solar, you benefit from:
   • A 5-Year Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC).
   • Expert Guidance from Engineers Specializing in Solar System Design for High-Rise Buildings with Elevated Wind Speeds.
   • Tailored Recommendations on Solar Module Types and Technologies Most Suited to Your Society's Needs, ensuring maximum benefits.

Embracing solar power in housing societies yields a host of advantages:

1. Significant Reduction in Common Area Electricity Costs: Solar energy is free, leading to a substantial reduction in the electricity bill for common area activities.
2. Environmental Responsibility: Adopting solar power diminishes the carbon footprint of the entire society, contributing to a more sustainable environment.
3. Enhanced Property Value: The integration of solar power systems can boost the sales value of apartments within the housing society.

The cost of solar panel installation in a housing society isn't fixed; it varies depending on the size of the system chosen. Typically, the larger the system, the greater the cost.

In a significant move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a National Portal for Rooftop Solar and a unified subsidy scheme on July 30, 2022. This subsidy initiative is referred to as Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), and it extends various subsidies to housing societies to promote solar adoption. Under this scheme, here is the subsidy offered to housing societies.

1. First 10 kW : ₹94,822 fixed
2. > 10 kW : ₹7,294/ kW for common facilities up to 500 kWp @ 10 kWp per house