Ask the facility manager of any apartment complex what their top three electricity costs are, and borewell pumping will almost always be on the list. Running a submersible pump for 4–6 hours a day adds up — and when the grid fails, it gets worse. DG sets kick in, diesel burns, and the cost climbs further.
There is a simpler solution that most apartment committees haven’t considered: power the existing borewell pump from your rooftop solar system during the day.
No pump replacement. No batteries. Just clean solar power from space you already own.
The Problem: Borewell Electricity Costs in Apartments
A typical apartment complex with 50–100 units runs a borewell pump of 5–10 HP capacity. At BESCOM rates in Karnataka (₹7–₹8/unit for commercial connections), pumping 4–5 hours daily costs:
- Daily cost: ₹250–₹500
- Monthly cost: ₹7,500–₹15,000
- Annual cost: ₹90,000–₹1.8 Lakhs
Add DG runtime during power cuts — at ₹30–₹40/unit equivalent diesel cost — and the number grows further. Many apartments also end up paying for water tankers when pumping is unreliable.
The Solution: Daytime Solar Pumping
If your apartment has unused rooftop space, a grid-tied solar system can power your borewell pump directly during daylight hours. The solar system feeds power into your building’s electrical circuit, and the pump draws from it as needed.
How it works:
- Solar panels on the rooftop generate DC power during daylight
- The on-grid inverter converts it to AC and feeds it into the apartment’s electrical distribution
- The borewell pump, running on its existing wiring, draws power from the solar system
- Any excess solar generation powers common area loads — lighting, lifts, security systems
- At night or on cloudy days, the grid supplies power as normal
What it does NOT require:
- No new pump or motor — your existing submersible pump works as-is
- No batteries — this is a grid-tied system; the grid handles backup
- No major civil work — panels mount on existing rooftop structure
What This Solves
Reduced electricity bills — borewell pumping shifts from grid power (₹7–₹8/unit) to solar power (effectively ₹0 marginal cost after installation)
Reduced DG usage — pumping during the day, which is when most power cuts occur, is covered by solar instead of diesel
Lower dependence on water tankers — reliable daytime pumping means consistent overhead tank filling, reducing the need for external water supply
Better ROI on your rooftop — unlike adding solar only for flats, borewell pumping gives the apartment committee direct, measurable savings that benefit the entire community
System Sizing: What Does an Apartment Need?
For a typical apartment complex borewell setup:
| Pump Rating | Recommended Solar Size | Approx. Cost | Monthly Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3–5 HP | 5–8 kWp | ₹2.5–4 Lakhs | ₹5,000–₹8,000 |
| 7.5–10 HP | 10–15 kWp | ₹5–7 Lakhs | ₹10,000–₹15,000 |
| 10–15 HP | 15–20 kWp | ₹7–10 Lakhs | ₹14,000–₹20,000 |
Payback period: 3–4 years. Savings continue for 25+ years.
A larger system also covers common area loads — lobby lighting, lifts, security cameras, water treatment — reducing the apartment’s overall electricity bill further.
Is Your Apartment Rooftop Suitable?
Most apartment buildings have flat or slightly sloped RCC rooftops with adequate shadow-free area. A 10 kWp system needs approximately 700–800 sq. ft. of usable space — well within what most mid-rise apartments have available.
Key checkpoints:
- Shadow-free area — clear of water tanks, AC units, and adjacent buildings during peak hours
- Structural capacity — RCC rooftops handle solar loads comfortably; sheet roofing may need assessment
- DISCOM approval — net metering or gross metering applicable depending on apartment connection type
Why This Makes Sense for Apartment Committees
Unlike individual flat owners who have to navigate terrace rights and shared infrastructure, the apartment association or RWA can install a rooftop solar system that directly benefits common area electricity costs — including borewell pumping.
The savings reduce the maintenance charges for every flat owner. The payback is collective, fast, and measurable.
Get a Free Rooftop Assessment
Techedge offers complimentary site assessments for apartment complexes — covering rooftop area survey, pump load analysis, system sizing, and savings projection.
If your apartment is spending on electricity for borewell pumping, we’ll show you exactly how much solar can save — and what it costs to get there.
Call: +91 98440 97096