Planning for integration of solar photovoltaics into the energy needs of villages through local self governments: An experience in the state of Kerala, India

Decentralization of energy planning through local self-governments has become a possibility since the development of solar photovoltaics and other small scale power generation technologies. The state of Kerala, India is well known for its success stories in decentralized administration of villages through panchayati raj¹ institutions. Panchayats in Kerala have proved their efficiency in the past by handling development projects, hence the scope for implementing decentralized PV power plants in a panchayat scale in Kerala is quite high. A study was conducted at Chendamangalam gram panchayat, Kerala, India to assess the electricity demand and rooftop PV power generation potential of a typical panchayat located in the low-lands of Kerala. The changing trends in electricity consumption due to the use and spread of new appliances and 100% grid extension to the villages could be discerned. Appliances like televisions, ceiling fans, water pumps, washing machines, electric mixers, refrigerators etc has penetrated well in this area. Inverter based power back up systems and new high power equipments like induction cookers, air conditioners, water heaters etc. are increasingly being used by the domestic consumers, which indicate a possible leap in electricity demand in the near future. The study could conclude that the collective shade free rooftop area from nearly 6500 buildings in the panchayat can support nearly 11.3 MW rooftop PV installations and it is more than enough to meet the current energy demands of the panchayat. Innovative design of custom PV solutions and institutionalization of operation and maintenance, supported with clear government policies and finance options can help in transforming a panchayat into an energy surplus entity.