STATE BANKS ON SUN TO INCREASE POWER OUTPUT
Convinced that by harnessing solar energy it could achieve maximum generation, the state government has decided to pursue solar energy aggressively and proposed a slew of amendments to its Solar Policy 2014-21. While the earlier policy had envisaged including at least 3 per cent of solar energy in its total energy usage, the latest amendment has increased the cap to 8 per cent and thus making Karnataka a Solar generation hub in India.
The state cabinet on Tuesday approved the proposed amendments to the Solar Policy of Karnataka facilitating further investment in solar energy across the state.
Buoyed by the success of various pilot projects in different parts of the state, the energy department has embarked on a massive plan of setting up more and more solar
plants across Karnataka.
Sources in the Energy department revealed to Bangalore Mirror that initially Karnataka had aimed to generate 2,000 Mw by 2021 and now the same target has been increased to 6,000 Mw.
Generate and consume locally
The major highlight of the amendments includes distributed generation approach. “Currently generation units are located in one corner of the state and power is transmitted all over from those units. But under the solar policy, units will be set up wherever the land is available and the generated power will also be consumed locally. This will not only help redeem transmission loss but also saves money that should have been spent on infrastructure,” a senior official from energy department revealed to BM. Be it the roof-top or ground mounted generation units, they will be connected with the grid system of local Escoms and come in handy while catering to the peak load.
Says ‘No’ to land but ‘Yes’ to renovation
Karnataka’s initiative of obtaining land from farmers on lease basis to set up solar parks was lauded by the union and directed all states to adopt the same method rather than going in for acquisition. Karnataka had previously contemplated to create private land banks owned by individual farmers and farmer groups. But under the new policy, the government has done away with the land bank system.
Instead, the government has proposed to set up Solar Energy centre of excellence and incubation centre at the state level for promoting innovation in technology and skill development, R&D. Further the policy proposes to generate solar power in every taluk not more than 200 Mw so as to ensure enough power supply all through the taluk. While a high level project approval committee used to approve projects with capacity more than 1 MW, now Karnataka Renewable Energy Development
Corporation Limited (KREDL) has been given more teeth and based on KREDL’s recommendation, the state government will approve the projects.
Set up a hybrid model of Solar and Wind
With Solar and Wind power complementing each other in a significant manner across Karnataka, the new policy has proposed to motivate people to set up a hybrid generation unit which involves both solar and wind mill. At multiple voltage levels, the residents will be allowed to install windmills and solar panels on their rooftops. Besides, the new policy will also allow gross metering along with net metering facility, allowing the people to generate money by selling power to respective Escoms.
NEW POLICY
* The state government has decided to pursue solar energy aggressively and proposed a slew of amendments to its Solar Policy 2014-21.
* While the earlier policy had envisaged including at least 3 per cent of solar energy in its total energy usage, the latest amendment has increased the cap to 8 per cent. Initially Karnataka had aimed to generate 2,000 Mw by 2021 and now the same target has been increased to 6,000 Mw.
* The government has proposed to set up Solar Energy centre of excellence and incubation centre at the state level for promoting innovation in technology and skill development, R&D.
* The new policy has proposed to motivate people to set up a hybrid generation unit which involves both solar and wind mill.
Source:bangaloremirror
