NEW DEHI: Delhiites have started taking to green energy in a big way. Power distribution company BSES has stated in a report that it has energised 1,077 rooftop solar connections with a sanctioned solar load of over 40MW. By the year end, the discom expects the total number of connections to cross 2,000 with a sanctioned load of 80MW.“The response to rooftop solar net metering has been incredibly encouraging. Consumers across categories, including residential, educational (and schools) and commercial establishments, have warmed up to the idea,” a BSES spokesperson said.The highest number of rooftop solar net metering connections is in the domestic segment (604KW), followed by commercial establishments (262) and educational institutions (178). A discom official said: “We have been actively educating customers about the solar rooftop net metering policy and its beneficial impact on their electricity bills.”As parts of these efforts, BSES launched the “Solar City Initiative” earlier this year. This “utility anchored rooftop programme” aims to maximize the utilisation of solar rooftop potential. Unlike conventional methods, under this programme, rooftop solar installations will be provided at a single point for the entire apartment complex. “Today, solar power is illuminating leading education institutions (like IIFT, Maulana Azad Medical College, Vasant Valley, DPS (EoK) and Bal Bharti Public Schools), places of worship (like Lotus Temple and Sri Aurobindo Ashram), institutions (like Mandoli Jail, Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station), organisations (like TERI, DJB, MMTC), CGHS like (Shri Balaji and Milan Vihar) and scores of individual residents,” the BSES spokesperson said.The power company said it saw unique benefits of adding distributed generation in its network. “We are convinced of the increased role solar and other green energy options would play going forward and want to lead from the front,’’ said an official.