Monkey Menace on Solar Rooftops
Yes you heard it right. We have been hearing stories about monkeys menacing around in the cities – raiding homes, destroying properties etc. I have myself been a victim of a monkey attack while at home and that too in a well organised residential society. But how can we blame them, humans have been destroying their homes too. Deforestation by humans to serve the needs of himself and the society has been a major factor why animals take a stroll in the cities to look for food and shelter.
While deforestation is a major concern that is disturbing the ecosystem, we are here focusing on the damage that these monkeys have caused recently. The monkeys now have a new found hobby of playing with the rooftop solar structures and running away with the cables. The problem has become so acute that the industry is now thinking about insuring these solar systems against the monkey attacks especially in North India. Other than the major problems of corruption and transmission that India faces, the country also possess unique issues which is hampering the smooth installation of solar power on the rooftops.
Monkey attacks have become so aggressive lately in the country, that it has been proposed to insure the solar system against the monkey menace. A solar system definitely needs insurance, since it entails a large outflow of capital and hence any mishap in its working should be well guarded for. Generally a solar insurance covers any breakdown in machinery or property, any physical damage, theft, public and employers’ liability, business interruption, marine cover etc. Now including the monkey menace in the solar system insurance is in talks.
“It’s a very common issue that is raised by clients in North India. Monkeys are a menace here. They destroy things, they roam around in groups, everyone is scared of them, they even bully dogs. So, when purchasing something as expensive as solar, it’s natural for clients to be worried”, she said.
The turnaround time is expected to be lower this time with a report to be submitted to the government soon and implementation expected faster. However, it remains to be seen how soon things happen in this regard. India has an ambitious target of installing 100 GW of solar power by 2022. Out of which, 40 GW is expected to be rooftop installations. However India has just achieved 400 MW ie just 1% of the estimated target. Though the government has allowed a 30% capital subsidy on rooftop solar installation, the country really needs to pull up its socks. Installing the panels at an inclination and suitably above the roofs (through high mounting structures) and modifying the insurance clause could be some of the possible measures to protect the rooftop solar system against the monkey menace.
On a different note, Australia mounted a large solar powered monkey (2.5 meter tall) made out of plastic bottles, to mark the Chinese New Year of Monkeys earlier this year.
