More than 2,000 solar powered fuel outlets in India by year end

The Ministry of Petroleum and Gas would install solar panels / solar-wind hybrid systems to power more than 2,000 fuel outlets across India.  In line with its “Go Green” initiative, about 1,500 (IOC), 350 (BPCL) and 300 (HPCL) outlets would be installed with solar power systems by the end of year.

The cost for systems will be borne by dealers while PSU oil marketing companies would ensure that dealers get 40% subsidy. New initiative to adopt renewable energy systems would ensure savings in power bills for dealers of about ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 per month.

As majority of outlets would be from rural areas with frequent power outage, dealers will get reliable power supply due to solar panels and reduce their dependency on diesel powered generators. Currently, 1kW solar systems cost ranges ₹1.5 to ₹2.5 lakh which is significantly lower compared to cost few years ago (About ₹6 to ₹8 lakh) due to improved production techniques and increased adoption.

In June 2015, IOC’s The Lotus Xangpo Memorial fuel station at Leh became world’s highest altitude fuel retail outlet powered exclusively on solar power. Due to savings in power bills, cost of solar systems are recoverable in 18 months approximately.  

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