Solar power brightens up Guttakadu in Kinnigoli

Solar power brightens up Guttakadu in Kinnigoli

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 8:  A village near Kinnigoli successfully switched to solar power to solve the problems of non availability of kerosene and severe power shortage. The idea of using solar power first occurred to Pramod Kumar, member of the Zilla Panchayat.

Mr. Kumar said that initially 15 homes of Guttakadu were chosen for an experiment to supply solar power from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Kinnigoli Milk Producers’ Multipurpose Cooperative Society agreed to supply power to the 15 homes. Vijaya Industries Katpady, Udupi, provided the required expertise and equipment to implement the project. Each of these homes paid Rs 30 per month for the facility. A 5-watt CFL bulb was installed in each home and an automatic timer was also installed to ensure that each home received power only from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mr. Kumar said that the project cost Rs 40,000 - Rs 45,000. 

Owing to the roaring success of this project, the ZP now plans to extend the facility to 200 more houses. The National Institute of Technology Karnataka will prepare the design for the project within two months. The total cost of the project is Rs 10 lakh; and Mr. Kumar hopes to receive government funds. Each house will be charged Rs 10 for the facility. LED lights might be used instead of CFL bulbs because they are brighter. 

Since solar power is very difficult to obtain during non summer months, the ZP plans to generate hydel power using turbines during the monsoons. Mr. Kumar says that the entire plan might cost Rs 2 lakh, out of which the ZP will provide Rs 50,000.