Solar power is in the news a lot these days, but what are the opportunities for industries and corporates to take advantage of falling solar prices?
Government-mandated Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs) are a factor, particularly for cement manufacturers which will often have their own captive power plants, which require roughly 10 per cent (varying by state) to be sourced from renewable energy.
But an equally important reason is cost savings. Solar panel prices have dropped significantly in the last two to three years, making solar power very competitive with thermal power. Solar power is now available at below grid tariffs in nearly all parts of India, making solar power a financially attractive option for cost reasons alone. Industries looking to go solar have a few options, and the best option may vary from one facility to another. In some states, renewable energy can be sourced through the grid, from a third party generator. The second option is to generate solar power ?onsite?, either on your factory rooftop or on unused land inside the premises. This is often the lowest-cost option, because it bypasses the state grid and the transmission charges that come with it.
CleanMax Solar is the industry leader in corporate solar supplies, and it provides both ?onsite? and grid-connected solar to many of the countries leading MNCs and Indian business houses. ?Our model is to work with our corporate customers to provide the solar solution which works best for each of their facilities? says Andrew Hines, Head – South India Business Development for CleanMax Solar.
CleanMax also pioneered the ?Build-Own-Operate? model for solar in India. In this model, CleanMax makes the entire investment in the plant – whether at its solar farms or at a customer?s factory – and the customer pays only for the power which is generated.
When you pay only per kWh of solar power, the benefits are impossible to ignore. ?From Delhi to Kanyakumari, we can provide solar power at a significant discount to grid tariffs? says Mr. Hines of CleanMax. ?In states like Maharashtra with high grid tariffs, the discount can be as high as 40-50 per cent?. Even compared to the cost of captive generating units, solar is competitive.
So whether or not your company has an obligation to go renewable, you can reap the benefits of the solar revolution now taking place. Energy is a significant input cost for all industries, and cement is certainly no exception. Achieving a guaranteed 20-50 per cent energy cost reduction with zero investment is an attractive proposition to cement manufacturers.
What?s the best way to explore the opportunity for your company? Get in touch with a credible solar developer like CleanMax Solar, and they will assess your facilities and propose the best mix of solutions for you.
For further information contact: info@cleanmaxsolar.com