PANAJI: With memories of Goa’s massive power outage still fresh and with monsoons around the corner, domestic inverters, batteries and roof-top solar power plants are back in demand. Some are even willing to go the extra length and invest in compact 1KV to 3KV gensets to bid goodbye to power-cuts. Manufacturers and dealers say that though there has been a steady market for domestic inverters over the last few years, inquiries have increased over the past week after Goa went without power for as long as 100 hours. With work from home, virtual classes and online exams becoming the new norm, the need for uninterrupted power supply and internet connectivity cannot be stressed enough. “Inquiries for home inverters are very much picking up. Once the power outage started, inverters began to sell very fast,” said Valpoi-based Terrance Mascarenhas. “I have got many inquiries for solar plants. The ones for whom I installed were very happy with the performance during the power outage.” Goa witnessed one of its worst power outages in recent times as 70% of the state was plunged into darkness after Cyclone Tauktae wreaked havoc leaving behind a trail of destruction in the state. Power infrastructure such as transformers, feeders, electricity poles and distribution systems were damaged across the state. “Earlier we used to install about 20 inverters in a month, but after the cyclone, we got over 60 orders,” said Sudin Kamat, who manages a 45-year-old electrical appliance business that was started by his father Vinayak Kamat. For some, the inverter is not the answer to their problems. An inverter can provide limited power for a few hours and cannot be used to pump water or power fridges. An 850VA to 3KVA genset on the other hand can meet this requirement, but the fuel fumes and associated noise, not to mention the prohibitive investment, deters most. Queries for solar power systems are largely for independent homes, while inverters are more suited for residential apartments. “I have an inverter, but the power back up is limited,” said Mapusa resident Warren Rodrigues. “We expect that this monsoons there will be more power cuts. With a toddler at home, we need a small generator to run the pump, keep the fan running and the food safe.” Rodrigues is on the hunt for a 1KVA petrol genset, but has yet to meet with success. Yashi Das, a resident of Taleigao, is another parent who is toying with the idea of a compact generator to ensure that computers, phones and the fridge have constant power supply.
Residents turn to inverters, gensets to keep WFH going
