Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Khunti visit to switch on 180 KW solar-powered court premise is all set to illuminate other 87 important addresses across Jharkhand in near future. Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (JREDA) has set top on its agenda to harness the clean grid connected rooftop solar PV power plants to tap 5,000 kw of electricity.
Most of the preliminary exercises for this have been completed and tender has been floated for selecting a consultant. Bid for the purpose would be opened on October 9 and the qualified consultant would study all the proposed premises, present feasibility reports based on their area and potential capacity and complete detailed project reports (DPR).
“We have already issued tender for consultant and also got tremendous response from as many as 26 interested solar power companies, including Tata Solar Power and others. The selected consultant would present DPR in 15 days to one month time for all the sites. Then, separate bidding for all the 87 buildings for setting rooftop solar power plants would take place,” said Arvind Kumar, Project Director with JREDA.
During the period of 2014 and 2016, JREDA has been allotted budget of Rs 52 crore for the purpose which is estimated to tap the clean power in the tune of 5000 kw or 5 mw. Individual project from 1kw to 500 kw capacity is considered under this programme.
list of premises includes Secretariat at Project Building and Nepal House, Vidhan Sabha, Chief Minister residence, Rajbhawan, ATI building, High Court, RIMS, RINPAS, Sadar Hospitals of three districts, three Civil Courts and Collectorate Buildings among others.
“Interestingly, we have identified 8 to 10 jails as well across the State including Hotwar in Ranchi and the Hazaribagh open jail. The whole purpose is to generate the energy required in situ and contribute the rest to the grid. Hopefully, in the next 4-5 months we would be in a position to issue work order to the qualified companies,” added the official.
The endeavour would also be extended to PMCH, Dhanbad, Sadar Hospitals of Dumka, Pakur and Sahibganj, Sub Divisional Hospital and Community Health Centre of Bermo and Referral Hospital at Jainamore. DC offices at Dhanbad and Simdega also figure into the preliminary list.
“We have also included religious places such as Dhori Mandir, Maa Chhinnamastika Temple, Rajarappa into the list besides several other important Government residential and non-residential buildings for the purpose. The drive would continue in the future as well,” said Arvind Kumar.
In grid interactive rooftop or small SPV system, the DC power generated from SPV panel is converted to AC power. Power is generated during day time which is utilised fully by powering captive loads like running electrical equipments, computers etc and feeding excess power to the grid as long as grid is available. The project at Civil Court of Khunti slated to be inaugurated by the PM on Friday is not grid connected at present and instead utilises power for running all necessary equipments and stores rest through batteries.