The Goan: Tell us about yourself and your businesses
Sairaj Dhond: I am a lawyer by profession who chose to be abusinessman. My company, Sunrich Solars is a Dhond Group Enterprise. I haverecently ventured into the lighting field and am an authorised distributor forSamson Lighting. I am also a part of the family business and the CEO of HotelManoshanti.
TG: Since it iscloudy in Goa for almost five months in a year, are solar heaters really usefulor feasible in local homes?
SD: Yes, indeed. We have Goa centric equipment that suitsthe climate and other conditions. Firstly, our solar heaters do not need muchsunlight. There is back up electric heater inbuilt in the instrument in casethe weather is completely cloudy or there is no sunlight. Secondly, our heaterssuit the water type too. The water in Goa is saline and hard but our heatershave glass enamel coating due to which water does not stick to the walls of theheater.
TG: Do you find anydifficulty in selling solar panels or heaters in Goa?
SD: A bit. Most roofs in Goa consist of tiles. They cannotbear the weight of the equipment with solar panels, as a full tank of waterweighs almost 160 kg for a normal heater. But we offer solutions to build aseparate concrete structure for the solar tank. Technically an elevatedstructure to place the tank is necessary because of the gravitational force.The overhead water tank needs to be six feet above the solar tank. If this isnot possible pressure pump is fixed.
TG: What precautions need to be taken in Goa while fittingsolar heaters?
SD: The panels must face South-East direction and one mustmake sure that no shadow falls on them or is in any way obstructed from directsunlight. The panels need complete exposure to the sun. We provide customisedsolar solutions which means we can design a customised system fitting the needsof the client.
TG: Is the Goagovernment encouraging citizens to go solar? Are there any subsidies?
SD: In Goa the government has not made it mandatory forbuilders to use solar equipment for new constructions as in Maharashtra andKarnataka. The constructions that exceed a certain limit have to use solar energyin those states.Yes, there are subsidies from the central government - 30 percent of the total cost or Rs 6,600, whichever is lesser.
TG: Would the use ofsolar equipment save energy?
SD: Yes. Only using solar water heater could bring down theelectricity bill by 30 to 50 per cent.
TG: What about themaintenance of the solar equipment? Can regular electricians repair them? Doyou provide after sales service?
SD: See, there is nothing electrical in solar equipment,except for the coil. Electricians are not needed. Only plumbing relatedservices are required which we do free once a year. There is no maintenanceexcept for cleaning the dust and the droplets on the panels. One can wash itonce a week. The only repairs are of tanks, which rust due to the salinity inthe water here. Our solar glasses are toughened and strong.
TG: Are there nodalagencies/organisations that scrutinise the solar products?
SD: The Central Agency is the Ministry of New &Renewable Energy (MNRE) and Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) located atSaligao is the Nodal Agency for Goa.
TG: Are there anyestate developers in Goa who have set up totally solar projects?
SD: Yes. Milroc Development Company has taken the pathbreaking step and gone solar in one of their Green Projects at the Kadambaplateau. It is for the first time in Goa that solar equipment would be used foran entire project of 500 flats with solar heating systems, street lights, waterpurification system, garden lights, home lighting systems, invertors, lanternsetc. Acron has also introduced green building concept in Goa. Hospitals canalso go solar. Dr Kenkre has done that at his Campal Clinic.
TG: Is there a sizeable market in Goa for solar products?What is the pricing?
SD: Yes, there is. We have domestic customers as well asindustries to cater to. A solar water heater would cost from around Rs 20,000and your payback time is less than two years. Most of the other solar productsrange from anywhere between Rs 3,000 onwards.
TG: What is thefuture of solar energy in Goa?
SD: The solar industry is growing. There is huge awarenessabout its advantages. People are ready to experiment and participate in thegreen initiative. They know the benefits in the long term. The fact of thematter is that our future has already arrived and if we do not act fast, wemight be left without a future.
TG: Why solar? What more?
SD: I am an advocate by profession who chose to go solar.The solar industry fascinated me because of the sheer scope for invention andimprovisation. And yes it sure feels nice to do your bit for the environmentand also build a business around it. We are also setting up a LED company whichagain is an environment friendly product. I also provide linen in bulk topharmaceuticals, hospitals, industries etc in the form of uniforms, bed sheets,curtains etc. I also wish to enter into the hospitality and constructionindustry.
