Amid the rising summer heat and in a first for Goa, a housing society in Merces-Tiswadi formally completed its shift to maximum solar power adoption offering a glimpse of how urban communities may power themselves in the years ahead. The move, initiated by Goa-based Anmax Energy, places Vision Royale at the centre of Goa’s growing renewable energy push, where society rooftops once seen as idle unclaimed spaces are now becoming part of the solar power network in India, stated a press release.
The inauguration of the housing society’s solar transition, facilitated under the aegis of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and Goa State Solar Subsidy Scheme, was attended by St. Cruz MLA Rodolfo Fernandes, Anupa Khorjuvekar, Asst Manager Engineering, Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA), along with Prashant Mantri, Secretary, Vision Royale, besides residents and stakeholders associated with the initiative.
The project was led by Anmax Energy, a Goa-based Climate Technology company working in rooftop solar systems, circular economy, and Blockchain based Climate Action Tokens (SolaCAT). Organisers said the Society’s experience could serve as a practical model for other housing communities considering a similar shift.
This housing society’s shift to solar energy carries practical and symbolic significance. Residents who adopt solar energy are no longer only consumers of electricity, but producers too. Surplus power generated by rooftop systems is accepted into the grid, giving them a net zero bill. Some residents even get negative bills in which case the department pays them!
Apart from export benefits, solar energy consumed at home is also rewarded by Anmax Energy as Climate Action Tokens which can be used for purchases within the circular economy marketplace offering fresh local produce and circular products(reused/ repaired etc) from participating businesses.
The development comes as Goa has been steadily encouraging wider solar adoption. A recent circular issued by the Registrar of Cooperative Societies Ashutosh Apte, directed housing societies across Goa to enable residents seeking to participate under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The circular also notes subsidies, reduced bills and energy self-sufficiency as key benefits.
“This initiative is about creating a network of individuals and households who are environmentally conscious. With the BASIC(Blockchain Assisted Sustainable Inclusive and Circular) economy, we have created an incentive system for people to make changes in their daily energy consumption and lifestyles which positively impact our collective fight against climate change. For example, charging your EV during peak solar hours reduces dependence on petrol as well as coal, or cooking with induction or ovens during solar hours reduces dependence on LPG” said Anant Kochhar, Founding Director Anmax Energy.
Commenting on the initiative of the Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Anant added,”With one circular, the Registrar of Cooperative Societies has unlocked the full potential of roofs and terraces of Housing societies which were going unused and vacant.”
Anmax Energy has also announced that they are now offering solar plants for any society’s common area of 15KW and above at a fixed price of INR 45,000/- per KW(government rate) which has a 90% total subsidy available. A society going solar for their common area will recover its investment in less than a year and enjoy free common area power for 30 years and more.
In a live demonstration held at the same event, a blockchain purchase of BASIC economy goods was showcased using Climate Action Tokens, whose mascot is a cute and lovable, yet highly motivated climate conscious Solar CAT. This first-of-its-kind circular economy marketplace enables households to use solar energy to now even purchase food and other essentials.
Said MLA Rodolfo Fernandes, “I have personally witnessed the benefits of installing a solar system at my residence. I used to get a bill of almost INR 22000. Post installing a solar tech, I now receive a bill of barely INR 100. I took up this matter at the state assembly because I truly believe it is beneficial to residents. I hope other housing societies and individual home owners take up solar tech after witnessing the success of the project at this housing society”.
