Taking a giant leap in the field of tapping solar energy as many as 100 Government offices and prominent addresses from across Jharkhand would be illuminated by solar power in about six months time. Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Authority (JREDA) has allocated work orders to different firms having expertise in harnessing the clean energy source.
Talking about the development JREDA Director DK Tewatia said that entire exercise of feasibility assessment, calculation of energy needs and peak time load factor have been calculated for each of the buildings selected.
“During the last two weeks we have allocated work order for 100 different Government premises for installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic power plants. This include Project Building, High Court, Chief Minister Secretariat, different Commissioner offices, three Sadar Hospitals, three district courts at Simdega, Garhwa and Sahibgunj and as many as nine different jails among other buildings. We expect that many of the solar plants would be commissioned in the six month time,” Tewatia said.
JREDA has hired different companies based on the DPR prepared by its consultant for each of the building selected under the clean energy initiative. Total harnessing capacity of the buildings has been examined before finalising plant capacity based on their rooftop areas, location and orientation. Similar step was taken in September last year when Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated 180 kilowatt plant at Khunti District Court.
“We have even the details of the load factor of the buildings by examining energy meter installed there. Though, it may not be possible to meet entire energy requirement of each of the premise but substantial part of it would be fulfilled by solar energy generated in situ,” he said adding that solar power generated collectively from all the 90 buildings would be in tune of 5,000 kilowatts.
On the ground, several such premises have started work in that direction. A rooftop solar plant of 400 kilowatt capacity is coming up at RIMS besides of 160 kilowatt at RINPAS. Chief Minister Raghubar Das is said to have directed officials of JREDA to focus first of the premises where people are directly benefited and premier medical facilities and Sadar Hospitals have been prioritised following the instruction.
“We think that in the coming one and half months substantial progress would start immerging at the selected premises. One can see erection of structures, installation of solar plates and other related activities very soon,” said JREDA Programme Director Arvind Kumar.
Taking future course of action in this way JREDA has formulated plan to add additional 10,000 kilowatt of solar power into its kitty by spreading solar photovoltaic plates on almost all the Government buildings covering district as well as blocks.
“We have also prepared plan for 2016-17 which is to harness 10 MW more solar energy through rooftop solar power plants. The State would get 30 per cent assistance from the Center. Besides that we have demanded from the State Government for making provision for `77 crore in the next budget,” said Tewatia. This apart, plan is also underway to include individual households who can use their rooftops to tap solar power, use it in captivity and sell the rest with Discom.