Andhra gets its first solar-powered green building in Visakhapatnam

For the first time, a five-storey smart building in Visakhapatnam installed solar panels vertically in place of black glass to generate revenue and protect the building from pollution.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative in Andhra Pradesh, solar panels were installed vertically in place of black glass at a five-storey building near Gurudwara Junction in Visakhapatnam.

The five-storey smart building has installed solar panels from the first floor to the top of the building. Operators revealed that these panels generate around 100 kw of electricity per day. The building supplies the remaining electricity to the grid after consumption through net metering, which will generate extra income.

Used as a guest house with 24 A/C rooms, the use of solar panels has enhanced the beauty of the building and generated curiosity among onlookers.

Building owner Narayana Rao said that he was inspired by the call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on tapping renewable energy sources. The Rs 40 lakh project will generate 100 kw power a day against daily requirements of 40 kw.

Narayana said, "Installing solar on the side of a building is rarely the first choice for solar developers in Andhra Pradesh. Around 200 solar plates of close to 100 kw of power generation are used on the wall-mounted. My building needs only 40% and the remaining would be sent to Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (AP EPDCL) grid."

(With inputs from Fronia Priscilla)