Bengal Housing Complexes Turn to Rooftop Solar for Savings

Some housing complexes in Bengal are putting solar panels on their roofs.

The panels use sunlight to make electricity and can reduce power bills.

Alaktika Housing Complex says its system has already paid back the money spent on installation.

Greenfield Ambition wants to build a much larger system for its lifts, lights, pumps, pool and club.

Government subsidies can reduce the cost for both housing associations and individual homeowners.

Net metering lets buildings receive credit for extra electricity sent to the power grid.

However, many housing associations struggle to qualify for bank loans because they have few assets or regular income.

One complex also found that solar heating panels did not reduce its electricity bill.

Residents are therefore interested in solar power but must carefully assess financing, equipment quality and vendors.