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‘Solar Suresh’ – Make the smartest energy choice under the Sun

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Solar Suresh Chennai – Meet the Inspired Life for this Week – Solar Suresh from Kilpauk, Chennai. Make the smartest energy choice under the Sun – Learn from ‘Solar Suresh’ why and how Going Green – Solar Energy, Bio Gas, Kitchen Gardening and Water from Air makes sound economic and environmental sense.

What is your Education & Professional Background?

I am a B.Tech from IIT-M and Postgraduate in Management from IIM- A.. Solar Energy and Green Initiatives is a passion that has now sparked off a revolution..

Professional Background

I have varied work experience starting from Textiles Marketing in Sarangpur Group of Mills Ahmedabad, Sree Ambica Group Ahmedabad, Binny Ltd Chennai. CEO Kothari Industrial Corp Textiles Div Chennai. I became an Entrepreneur – MD of SAKS Ancillaries Ltd Manufacturing –  an auto electric component Wiring Harness for Japanese collaborated two wheelers and Italian Collaborated vehicle by Ashok Leyland. This was followed by an entrepreneurial venture in last mile connectivity –  Comupter Access Pvt Ltd.  I also assisted a friend in his real estate venture Featherlite Developers in Chennai in the capacity of GM. Thus an overall work experience of about 45 years.


What inspired you to Go Green?

I have travelled in Germany during my manufacturing days. I witnessed many Roof Top solar plants in Germany during my visits, about 20 years ago. It struck me then that If a country with less sunlight can install why not in India with abundance of sunshine! That spark off the process of then locating a vendor to install a roof top solar plant for generating electricity – not for heating water.. In Chennai you open the tap and get hot water. You do not require solar panel installation for that!

My approach to some of the Corporate Giants working on solar technology and a couple of others were not giving desired results. Then I located a local vendor and we jointly experimented and installed a 1 kw plant in Jan 2012 and scaled upto 3 kw in Apr 2015.

When did you start promoting this Green Initiative?

I retired in April 2015 and since I have been actively involved in promoting green initiatives pre and post retirement– I have installed about 20 Roof Top Solar Installations in Schools, Colleges, Residential houses, Small scale manufacturing industry and am also taking Awareness Training Sessions in Village communities on green initiatives and their advantages.

Have installed 5 bio gas plants – in residences, Cancer Hospital, a senior citizens home in Hyderabad. Have Installed Kitchen Gardens in 4 residences.

Going Green through Solar is an expensive affair. Isn’t it?

No! My roof top solar plant gives me considerable savings. I do not have the expertise in calculating carbon foot print etc. On the economics front, I have definitely benefitted. Before Solar, in 2011 my annual consumption was 8100 units. On installing 1 kw, in 2012 my consumption was 5550 units. In 2016, after installation of 3 kw it is 3450 units, thus saving about 60 %. Another major benefit being the insurance against electricity tariff increase. In 2012 the tariff was Rs 3 per unit, then 5.75 and from Dec 2014 it is Rs 6.60 per unit.  My cost was Rs 3.08 in 2012 , 4.12 against 5.75  and 3.99 against 6.60.

I am reluctant to calculate Return on Investment. I feel it is incorrect. When we buy a TV, a Washing machine – do we calculate ROI? We buy because of comfort and convenience. So same criteria should be adopted for Solar. But bowing to popular demand and since I have the data, I have calculated the ROI for roof top solar as 6 % which is tax free, and at present tariff. If tariff increases the ROI will consequently increase!

I produce non polluting power, and save fossil  fuels and save foreign exchange for the country.
I did not have power cuts at all during the last 5 years except one day, the day of the Vardha cyclone.

Solar Suresh - 3KVA Rooftop Solar Installation
Solar Suresh – 3KVA Rooftop Solar Installation

What were the Challenges and interesting moments you faced?

My toughest challenge was in finding a vendor for installing the roof top solar plant and in getting a proper solar inverter. I did not give up when other companies and biggies did not show any interest or encouragement. Managed to locate a local vendor with a fund of knowledge and enthusiasm . He shared the same enthusiasm as mine.

I was elated on 9th Jan 2012 when I started generating roof top solar electricity, and busted many myths associated with roof top solar systems.  Specialists and senior Govt officials such as Chairman of TEDA ( Tamilnadu Energy Development  Authority ) visited me to observe my installation.

My joy was more when invited by reputed TV channels , trade bodies and associates such as MMA (Madras Mgt Assn), Rotary Club of Madras invited me to share my experiences. A special joy when I addressed 3rd and 4th standard students of Bhavan’s Rajaji Vidhyashram. Well, as on date more than 3000 People have visited my house and I am popularly known as ‘Solar Suresh’!

Can you please explain more about your rooftop solar installation?

Have installed a roof top solar plant of 3 kw capacity 4 years ago. Connected two Air Conditioner, Pump, Refrigerator, Lights, Fans, TV, Computer and Lap Top , Washing Machine , Mixie.

I have not experienced powercut even for a minute in the last 4 years.  I have saved electricity charges by producing around 12 to 16  units a day. Many allied advantages like no daily maintenance. Generates Electricity even during mild rainy days. Extremely heavy rainy days (very few in Chennai) the load is supplied by batteries, which are charged by Solar and not by Grid power.  No manual intervention, Solar to Battery to EB switching is automatically controlled by Solar Inverter.

Raw material is free for around 20 years and the process of generating electricity is also free for 20 years – during the life span of the Panels. Thus there is an inbuilt insurance from future Tariff increases, which is a certainty. For example, Tariff was INR 3 per unit (beyond 500 units) in 2012 scaling upto INR 6.60 now, an increase of over 120 % in 3 years. And this is only likely to increase!!No separate wiring required. Stand alone roof top Solar plant is a sustainable, affordable, viable project, presently giving over 6 % tax free return including battery replacement. With Tariff increase , this return on investment will only increase.

The installation is simple, requiring a shadow free area, about 80 sq ft per kw.A major advantage, though individuals may not be interested, is that Solar produces non- polluting power, consumes no fossil fuel and thus saves foreign exchange for the country.

How Does this Machine of yours Generate Water from Air? Air O Water?

This machine is manufactured by Air O Water and it is humidity and temperature driven which creates water from the air, using a proprietary process. These machines serve two purposes: creating water and conditioning outside air simultaneously, making it the most unique energy efficient process.

The Atmospheric Water Generator machine of Air O Water utilizes the moisture content in the air to create the purest form of drinking water through a 4-step filtration process. The machine’s optimum performance ideally requires a minimum humidity level of approximately 50%. However, it produces sufficient amounts of water in conditions of lower humidity as well. Not just that, it also performs well in an air-conditioned environment, acting as an effective dehumidifier.

Air O Water Produces 25 Litres of Water Every Day which serves our drinking need. The electricity for this is through my Solar Installations which means the entire machines operating cost is Zero (0). Air O Water

Solar Suresh - Atmospheric Water Generator Machine
Solar Suresh Chennai – Atmospheric Water Generator Machine – Air O Water

Can you please explain more about your Domestic Biogas Installation?

Have installed domestic Bio Gas plant of 1 cu mtr capacity, to process around 4 kg organic waste per day (can go up more!) and producing about 20 kg of gas per month. No daily maintenance. A better way of garbage management. Disposal of garbage is a major task now-a-days. Garbage is converted into two useful resources – cooking gas and organic manure. What better way of garbage management! Installation is a simple process. No odour is generated. Entire process is automatic. No manual intervention, except feeding the plant daily. Many advantages – no pollution, save foreign exchange for the country!  Some conditions attached – only organic waste such as cooked and uncooked food, spoilt food, vegetable and fruit peels etc to be used as input. Citric items such as lime, orange and onions, egg shells, bones, ordinary leaves to be avoided.

Solar Suresh
Solar Suresh Chennai – Domestic Biogas Plant

Is it true that you did Rain Water Harvesting much before the TN Government Mandated it?

I Installed Rain Water Harvesting around 25 years ago. There are two types of RWH – filter –store – use; recharge ground water. In the first case, rain water is collected and filtered through a simple organic filtration system using pebbles, charcoal and river sand. Filtered water is used for cooking, drinking purposes.
In the second case, wherever rain water accumulates or stagnates, a pipe 8 in in diameter and 15 ft length with holes every foot is inserted into the ground such that water goes into this pipe and recharges ground water.Again no daily maintenance. Before the commencement of monsoon season, the terrace space is to be cleaned, the organic items, pebbles, charcoal, sand to be cleaned and reused.

Rain Water Harvesting
Solar Suresh Chennai – Rain Water Harvesting

Are all your Vegetables Homegrown?

Rooftop Kitchen Garden
Solar Suresh Chennai – Rooftop Kitchen Garden

Yes and its of great interest to me – Terrace Kitchen Garden. Being a novice and without any knowledge, I simply started with 5 pots and applied seeds. Just watched vegetables growing – Ladies finger and Tomatoes. Now having 70 pots – earthen pots, broken plastic buckets, grow bags of different sizes. Organically growing about 15 types of vegetables. What a sight and experience to spend a few moments daily in the garden, and see vegetables growing under your nose, all yours to pluck and enjoy anytime you need it day or night!The terrace garden includes:

A      Climbers/Creepers – Cucumber, Ridge gourd (turia), Bottle gourd (dudhi), Bitter gourd (karela)

B       Roots – Radish, Carrot, Beet root

C      Herbs – Coriander, Methi, Palak, Arisi keerai (A local variety ), Pudina

D      Vegetables – Bhendi (ladies finger), Capsicum, Beans, French beans, Tomato – 2 varieties, Guava, Corn, Brinjal, Peas, Green Chillies

Your entire house looks green, Can you also tell us more on your Forest Atmosphere?

I have created a forest atmosphere by growing bamboo plants and creepers to flow over them. This is one of the best way to keep to overcome the hot and humid weather of Chennai. From the terrace one gets a feeling of being in the forest and not in Kilpauk at the heart of the Chennai city, Tamil Nadu. Cannot see neighbouring buildings and chaotic traffic – only greenery!!

Don’t you think your Green house should be Promoted as a Model for Eco Friendly Urban Living?

Yes very much and i feel happy that over 3000 people have visited my house to take cognisance!!! Perhaps the only urban house to have 6 projects of environmental implication in one house and Probably one of the early houses to have both the systems in roof top solar – off grid and on grid synchronised to avoid manual transmission.

“These are old concepts which people have now forgotten; people just need to be aware that they can live a comfortable life without being dependent on others or on methods that harm the environment. I am trying to just that,”

What Suggestion you wish to give our readers?

By installing Solar, Domestic Biogas, Rain Water Harvesting, Rooftop Kitchen Garden, Creating urban forestry and Water from Air i have practically demonstrated that you can be self sufficient and not depend on anyone. You don’t have to look at the government to solve your problem instead you can create a self sustainable living by implementing these solutions. I wish to also inform your readers that they can visit my premises to learn more and promote it within their community for a better tomorrow. I wish you all a good success to #GOGREEN

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