Move to launch rooftop wind turbines
Installation of windmills on rooftops to generate electricity is not a distant dream in Gujarat. Following the tremendous success of rooftop solar panels, the Gujarat Power Research Development (GPRD) Cell is launching a pilot project to generate electricity through wind turbines installed on rooftops.
The initiative will initially involve five cities, including Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, and Porbandar.
Gujarat leads the country in solar energy production, with more than 500,000 houses already equipped with rooftop solar panels. Now, the state is venturing into wind energy. Currently, Gujarat has installed 11,823 MW of wind turbines, primarily in open fields. The new pilot project aims to replicate this success on residential rooftops.
Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Limited (DGVCL) has been entrusted with the pilot project, termed the Rooftop Small Wind Turbine System. The project involves installing 3-kilowatt wind turbines on selected rooftops in the five cities. These installations will be studied over two years to assess their efficiency and feasibility.
A DGVCL official stated, “The process of installing solar panels has become straightforward. We anticipate that windmills will similarly become easy to install on rooftops, whether for homes or offices. Our research by the Electricity Department of Gujarat is focused on understanding the wind speed patterns in these cities to ensure the success of this project.”
In the initial phase, one house in each of the five cities will have a wind turbine installed. The performance of these turbines will be monitored for two years. This study will determine whether rooftop wind turbines can be a viable solution for generating electricity at home.
With increasing awareness of renewable energy, many households are adopting solar panels.
However, some homes cannot meet their energy needs due to limited space for solar panels. In such cases, rooftop wind turbines offer an alternative, sustainable solution.
As a DGVCL officer noted, “This pilot project aims to harness green energy by installing wind turbines where solar panels are not sufficient.”