Udupi administration’s green initiative

Udupi administration’s green initiative

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, July 10,2017: In a green initiative, the district administration has drawn up a plan to provide solar power to the entire District Offices Complex, which including the Deputy Commissioner’s office, the zilla panchayat, and 41 government departments, here.

The complex consumes 33,287 units of power per month on an average. The average monthly electricity bill for the entire complex is around Rs. 3.8 lakh.

To promote an eco-friendly measure and save electricity, the administration has drawn up a plan through the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd. to set up a rooftop solar system at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.49 crore.

The plan envisages setting up solar panels at the 20,200 square feet parking area of District Office Complex. It would be a 199.5 kWp grid connected rooftop system.

“Once we install this system, it will cover our power costs upto 85%. We will save almost the entire monthly electricity bill,” A.S. Ramakrishnaiah, Assistant Executive Engineer, District Urban Development Cell (DUDC), told The Hindu .

The DUDC will soon be sending the proposal to the Department of Departments of Planning, and Personnel and Administrative Reforms for approval.

“We are trying to get funds arranged for this solar power system through Challenge Fund or Innovation Fund. Once approved, the project could be ready within four months,” said Deputy Commissioner, Priyanka Mary Francis.

“After the installation of the solar system, all we have to ensure is that the panels are kept clean and inverters are serviced. There is minimum maintenance on batteries,” said Mr. Ramakrishnaiah.

The efficiency of the solar grid will be around 85%. This is because during the monsoon, there would be lesser sunlight and the solar power generation is expected to get reduced slightly.

The earlier plan was to install the solar panels on the roofs of the District Offices Complex, a sprawling attractive two-storied building.

“But installation of the solar panels on the roof will mar its beauty as people find the building eye-catching,” he said.

Another benefit would be that the parking area will get a roof and vehicles will be protected from both rain and the sun during summer. Yet another benefit is that the administration will save 122 litres of diesel every month used for diesel generator at the complex during power cuts.

“This initiative will also send a message to people to switch over to solar power in their houses and business establishments,” Ms. Francis said.

Courtesy: The Hindu