Housing complex in Kolkata runs on solar energy

SOLAR HOUSING: A housing colony in Kolkata is running entirely on solar energy and it’s a first of its kind.

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Kolkata: A housing colony in Kolkata is running entirely on solar energy and it’s a first of its kind.

India's first housing society to harness the Sun, Rabi Rashmi Abasan has solar panels that carpet the buildings' roofs and pump out 58 units of electricity every day, which is two units from every home.

It takes one hundred and forty kilos of coal to generate that much power. Rabi Rashmi Abasan still draws electricity from Bengal's main grid and it would not run on solar power alone. However, the bills are lower as solar energy costs are negligible.

And with clever engineering, the architects have ensured that even what's tapped from the grid, is kept to the bare minimum.

The buildings face away from the sun in peak summer. Yet, they let in plenty of light. The walls are hollow and have insulation inside - that lowers temperatures. A breeze from the small pool out front circulates through the home - cooling rooms even further.

The cost of all the innovation is about Rs eight lakh more than a normal home - each flat here's worth about Rs 45 lakh.

It seems that people love the idea as all the flats are sold out.

It seems technology has travelled a full circle and has taken recourse in nature. This is the first of its kind where solar energy is tapped and used in driving everything in the complex.