* Kerala looks to solar to curb emissions and cut energy imports
* Panels on 75,000 homes part of a plan to meet quarter of state’s power needs from solar by 2022
* Subsidy aims to make solar affordable for low-income families
By K. Rajendran
KERALA, India, March 3 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Before Govindan Satheeshan installed solar panels on the roof of his home in southern India’s Kerala state under a government scheme two years ago, the 70-year-old retiree was unsure.
Would the panels produce enough electricity? Would they be too expensive? Would the system suffer technical glitches?
But his hefty electricity bills, of up to 15,000 rupees ($205) every two months, motivated him to sign up – and today his bills have dropped close to zero.
Satheeshan is so happy with the results he invited anyone uncertain about installing a home solar system to visit him in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital.
“People are still doubtful about the feasibility of rooftop solar panels. If anyone is interested but sceptical, they are welcome to visit my home and I will clarify (the benefits),” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
