Bantwal: Solar unit for govt buildings

Bantwal: The government has taken action to produce electricity from various sources with the aim to become self-reliant for electricity. Accordingly, work has begun on the installation of solar units at the total cost of Rs 88.80 lakh on 6 government buildings in the taluk under the union government’s Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS).

The solar units which have been sanctioned under IPDS are being s=installed by the nodal agency of Mescom and the power generated through these units will be directly integrated into Mescom’s power grids.

Mescom’s Bantwal division includes Bantwal and Belthangady taluks, and a total of 8 solar units will be installed within the limits of the division at the total cost of Rs 142.80 lakh under IPDS. 2 units at the cost of Rs 54 lakh will be installed in Belthangady taluk and the remaining 6 solar units will be installed in Bantwal taluk at the cost of Rs 88.80 lakh. Already, the work on synchronizing all the units has been completed.

6 units in Bantwal

In Bantwal taluk, altogether 6 solar units will be installed through Bantwal – 1 and 2 sub-divisions. The work on the installation of a 24.32 KWh unit on the roof of the TP office located at B C road within the limits of Bantwal – 1 sub-division was completed in the month of November last year.

A 33.28 KWh solar unit on the roof of the government hospital at Bantwal coming within the limits of Bantwal -2 sub-division limits started functioning from last March end. The 23.68 KWh unit on the roof of the inspection bungalow in Bantwal started functioning from November last year.

A 30 KWh solar unit on the roof of the court building at BC Road coming within the limits of Bantwal – 1 sub-division started functioning since December last year and a 10.22 KWh capacity unit started working from November last year. After the completion of the construction of the mini Vidhana Soudha at B C road, a 10.24 KWh capacity unit started functioning here since last July end.

Demand for hybrid system

Although solar unites have been installed and are functioning on the roofs of the government buildings, the solar connection is lost when there is a power cut. In other words, this system is applicable on all the units under the scheme. Importantly, the loss of power supply at the mini Vidhana Soudha is a cause for concern and hence, there is a demand for the installation of a hybrid system with battery facility.

During a power cut, the use of generators is inevitable. However, the generators run on diesel and hence there is talk being heard that the use of solar power would be more convenient. But this scheme does not have scope for this facility. Attempts can be made by installing batteries, opinion Mescom officials.

Supply for Mescom grid

Altogether 8 solar units have been installed at a total cost of Rs 142.80 lakh within Bantwal division limits. Among them, 6 units have been installed on the roofs of government buildings within Bantwal taluk and are already function. The power generated here is being supplied to Mescom grid – Ramachandra, Executive Engineer, Mescom Bantwal Division