Kerala’s first solar farm on the Mega Watt scale is
expected to become operational at Kuzhalmandam in Palakkad district by
March next year. The Agency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural
Technology (ANERT) will implement the project estimated to cost Rs.16
crore.
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| Photo courtesy: Wikipedia |
Utilising crystalline silicon technology, the
grid-fed solar power plant of 2 MW capacity will come up on 12 acres of
land. Designed in-house by ANERT, it features flat plate collectors and
intelligent inverters. Once commissioned, the farm will feed 30 lakh
units of power to the grid every year.
Officials said
the project was designed to assist in research and development of
grid-interactive power plants. The farm would be established as a
turnkey project.
DPR released
Chief
Minister Oommen Chandy released the detailed project report (DPR) of
the solar farm during the inauguration of the new headquarters building
of ANERT here on Wednesday.
He said the availability of quality power was a critical element in Kerala’s development.
He said the power situation in the State warranted a focus on non-conventional energy sources and energy conservation.
Mr.
Chandy said mini-hydel projects and solar power offered clean and
eco-friendly means of power generation ideal for a State like Kerala.
Solution to power crisis
Delivering
the presidential address, Electricity Minister Aryadan Mohammed said
non-conventional energy sources were the obvious solution to the power
crisis faced by the State.
“With no further scope for
additional generation through conventional means, the State will have
to make maximum use of wind and solar power to bridge the widening gap
between demand and supply.”
Pointing out that 5,000
houses across the State had been provided with subsidized rooftop solar
panels generating a total of 5 MW, he stressed the need to popularise
the initiative. Mr. Mohammed stressed the need to equip government
buildings with green features to save energy.
Saving energy
Highlighting
the need for energy conservation, he directed the officials at the
open-air venue to switch off the lights that were kept on in broad
daylight.
With a built-up area of 25,000 sq ft., the
new headquarters complex of ANERT is built on the Green Building
concept. It will feature a roof top solar power plant of 15 kW capacity,
solar-wind hybrid system, biogas plants, and solar water heaters.
K. Muraleedharan, MLA, Additional Chief Secretary Niveditha P. Haran, and ANERT director M. Jayaraju were among those who spoke.
The Hindu November 21, 2013
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