The Regional Transport Office (RTO) at Jajpur is the first RTO in the State to power its electricity requirements from solar energy.
“The idea was to adopt green energy and reduce electricity bill. It will save a lot of money in the long run and also improve the efficiency at the workplace as solar power can create a large quantity of electricity without the uncertainty and expense of securing a fuel supply,” said Jajpur Regional Transport Officer NK Pradhan.
The RTO is still connected to the grid but would only pay meter charges for air conditioner usage or consume electricity from the grid during complete cloud cover.
Pradhan further informed, “A recurring cost of Rs 1,000 (approx) per day for 20 official days sum up to Rs 20,000 will be saved. Approximately, 30 units power generation every day will reduce the grid energy bills. This may reduce more electric bill approximately 10 holidays X25 units will reduce the cost of 250 units.250 units can be used by general public (one normal house consumption).”
The solar project has been entrusted to the ITI, Bhubaneswar, which has installed a 10-KW hybrid rooftop solar system with four hours’ battery backup. The project has been commissioned at a cost of Rs 7.86 lakh.