The Sharma family in South Delhi was facing electricity bills exceeding ₹15,000 per month during summer. This case study explores how they reduced their bills by 90% with a rooftop solar installation.
The Challenge
The Sharma family lives in a 3,000 sq. ft. independent house in South Delhi. With three air conditioners, a home office, and various appliances, their electricity consumption was high, especially during summer months when bills would reach ₹15,000-20,000.
They were looking for a sustainable solution that would:
- Significantly reduce their electricity bills
- Provide backup power during frequent outages
- Be environmentally friendly
- Offer a good return on investment
The Solution
After a thorough assessment of their energy needs, roof space, and budget, we recommended:
- A 7 kW rooftop solar system with 18 high-efficiency panels
- A 5 kWh lithium-ion battery storage system
- Grid-tied installation with net metering
- Smart monitoring system accessible via smartphone
Installation Process
The installation was completed in just three days:
- Day 1: Site preparation and mounting structure installation
- Day 2: Panel installation and wiring
- Day 3: Inverter and battery installation, system testing
We also handled all paperwork for net metering approval with the local utility, which was completed within three weeks.
Financial Breakdown
Here's the financial analysis of the project:
- Total system cost: ₹5,60,000
- Government subsidy: ₹1,68,000 (30%)
- Net cost after subsidy: ₹3,92,000
- Annual electricity savings: ₹1,44,000
- Payback period: 2.7 years
- 25-year savings: ₹36,00,000 (accounting for inflation and panel degradation)
Results
Six months after installation, the results have exceeded expectations:
- Electricity bills reduced by 90% (from ₹15,000 to ₹1,500 per month during summer)
- The system generates approximately 28 kWh per day on average
- Battery backup provides 6-8 hours of power for essential loads during outages
- Carbon footprint reduced by approximately 8 tons of CO2 annually
- The family has become an advocate for solar energy in their community
Challenges Overcome
The project wasn't without challenges:
- Partial shading from neighboring buildings in late afternoon
- Limited roof space requiring high-efficiency panels
- Initial delays in net metering approval
These challenges were addressed through careful system design, panel placement optimization, and persistent follow-up with utility officials.
Homeowner Testimonial
"Installing solar panels was the best decision we made for our home. Not only have our electricity bills reduced dramatically, but we also have peace of mind during power outages. The system has performed even better than we expected, and the Solight team made the entire process seamless. We're now recommending solar to all our friends and family." - Rajesh Sharma
Conclusion
The Sharma family's experience demonstrates how residential solar installations can provide substantial financial and environmental benefits while improving quality of life. With the right system design and installation, urban homeowners in India can achieve significant electricity savings and contribute to a greener future.
