To avoid power tripping, industries increasingly install rooftop solar

Facing frequent electricity tripping and expensive generator costs, Nepali industries have started installing solar panels on their rooftops and spare land.

This trend is growing among cement, rebar, plastic, textile and food industries in the Morang-Sunsari, Birgunj-Pathlaiya, Bhairahawa and Rupandehi areas. Even as production capacity has grown, problems with the quality and reliability of power supply have pushed industries to see solar as a way to cut costs and keep operations running.

Although installed hydropower capacity has crossed about 4,300 MW, industrialists are still drawn to solar for reliable supply. According to Anjal Niraula, chief executive officer of Gham Power, the unreliability of supply and frequent tripping are the main reasons for the growing attraction to solar.