Work begins to install solar panels atop corporation buildings
Trichy: Trichy City Corporation has launched the groundwork to harness solar energy atop the civic body buildings. To make the corporation buildings energy self-sufficient, the corporation has taken up the preliminary work of the first phase to install off-grid solar photovoltaic plants in 91 civic body buildings.
Utilizing the smart cities mission fund to encourage renewable energy generation, the local body in October 2018, obtained the required permission from the state and central governments to install solar power plants atop the corporation buildings. At a cost of Rs 6.44 crore, 206 buildings have been identified for the rooftop solar power plant project in various capacities, mostly between 1 kW and 4 kW.
Meanwhile, ending the one-year delay, the corporation recently took up the preliminary work to install concrete base and metal frames to position the solar panels. The civic body cited the model code of conduct that was in place for the recent general election as the reason for the delay in launching the project. In the first phase, which is underway, the corporation has completed constructing the accommodative structures for solar panels in 91 corporation buildings. The buildings covered under off-grid solar plants include schools, corporation offices, health centres, toilets and cremation ground.
“Electricity generated by the rooftop solar panels will be utilized to power the lights, fans and to meet other electricity needs in the buildings. Soon the inverter, batteries and supportive equipment to utilise solar power will be commissioned,” a corporation official said. A Chennai-based contractor, identified to implement the project, is expected to install the solar panels atop the buildings including the main corporation office on the Bharathidasan Road within a couple of months.
Once the plant installation is completed in all the 206 buildings, the civic body can save at least Rs 1.35 crore per year by way of electricity expenses.
Officials said that the other component of the solar project under smart cities mission envisaged at installing a 2.4 MW on-grid solar power plant on 15-acre corporation land in Panjapur is awaiting no objection certificate from Tangedco.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes
