Perinjanam to Launch India’s First Panchayat-Level BESS Project with ₹2 Crore Support

Perinjanam, the gram panchayat known for the highest solar power usage in the country, is preparing to implement a pioneering Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project. The initiative will store 3.16 megawatts of solar energy generated every month and supply it to the Electricity Department during high-tariff night hours.

The Kerala government has sanctioned ₹2 crore for the pilot project, the first of its kind in India.

Storing Solar for Peak Demand

Under the BESS model, solar power produced during the day will be stored in a large lithium battery system. The stored energy will then be supplied during peak demand hours at night, when tariffs are significantly higher.

At present, the Electricity Department pays an average of ₹3.04 per unit for direct solar power supply. However, during peak demand hours, the tariff increases to ₹7 per unit. The new system is expected to enhance revenue for the panchayat and participating households.

A Solar Revolution Since 2018

Perinjanam’s solar journey began in 2018 under the leadership of K K Sachith, a CPM leader and former panchayat president. Rooftop solar panels were installed across houses and public buildings, moving the panchayat toward energy self-sufficiency.

Today, 860 households and more than 100 institutions are part of the project, collectively generating 3.16 megawatts of solar power every month.

Community Financing and Income Generation

The Perinjanam Cooperative Bank supported the initiative by providing collateral-free loans to participants. Within four years, all beneficiaries repaid their loans and are now earning income from surplus solar generation.

The model has demonstrated how decentralised renewable energy can create both environmental and financial benefits for local communities.

Cutting Public Electricity Costs

A 9.5-kilowatt solar installation atop the Perinjanam Government School powers around 800 streetlights in the panchayat. This has reduced the monthly electricity expenditure for street lighting from ₹90,000 to ₹32,000.

With the upcoming BESS project, Perinjanam is set to strengthen further its position as a national leader in decentralised solar energy adoption.