Solar for a Jaipur housing society: getting to yes

Housing societies in Jaipur spend a large share of their maintenance fund on electricity for lifts, water pumps, corridor lights and gate lighting. A rooftop system on the common terrace can cut that bill noticeably, but getting the decision through a committee takes patience. Here is what we have learnt from societies across Mansarovar, Vaishali Nagar and Jagatpura.

Start with the common-area bills for the past twelve months. A typical society of 60 to 80 flats uses 2,500 to 4,500 units a month for common services, which suits a system of 15 to 30 kW. We survey the terrace, note water tanks, mobile towers and lift rooms that cast shade, and work out how much area is truly usable.

The committee will ask about three things. Cost and payback: we prepare a simple sheet with the investment, expected savings and the number of years to recover the cost. Roof use: residents worry about losing space, so we show how a raised structure leaves the terrace usable for functions. And who looks after it: we include a care plan and train the society’s maintenance staff to check the app.

Invite residents to see one of our working systems on a Saturday. Hearing from another society’s treasurer settles more doubts than any brochure. Once the general body approves, the society secretary signs the application. We file it with the discom and handle the paperwork. The whole process, from first meeting to switching on, usually takes three to five months, mostly in society meetings.