JOIN USSolar energy to light up parks
In a first of its kind initiative, Kuppanna park near Harding circle and Cheluvamba park near Akashavani in the city will be lit up by unconventional source of energy. Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) has decided to install solar panels at the parks.
Addressing a gathering of students as part of World Environment Day celebrations organised in association with the Institution of Engineers (India), Mysore chapter in the city on Wednesday, Dinesh D K project engineer of KREDL, Mysore said, the works are expected to take off soon, with tenders being invited for the same.
The project is estimated to cost Rs 16 lakh for each of the two parks, with 30 per cent funding from the Central government. Each panel will produce eight KV of energy (32 units) per day, catering to the lamps in the park.
KREDL is also working on another project to arrest over usage of power in the street lights of the city, by installing sensors, to switch on and off the lights automatically.
He said that the Atal Behari Vajpayee Nemmadi Kendras in the district were offering uninterrupted services with the aid of solar energy. Earlier, it was difficult to cater to the people during power cuts with the computers and other electronic devices becoming unrendered. The problem had been addressed through solar energy.
Giving an account of energy produced from unconventional sources in the State, the officer said that from wind alone, 2,197 MW of energy was being generated, followed by mini-hydel project- 704 MW; bio-mass - 90 MW; co-generation - 1082 MW; and solar energy - 14 MW, bringing it to a total of 4,088 MW.
Changes
Chairman, Institution of Engineers India (IEI), Mysore chapter, T Ananthapadmanabha, said that it was time that people opted for unconventional sources of energy in a big way. He said that people are always wary of adopting to changes in the beginning. He said that IEI was planning a major drive to create awareness among the youngsters, especially students, on the alternate sources of energy.
The inaugural session was followed by a quiz on environment for school students.
A demonstration of solar products like cookers, lanterns, water heaters, etc., attracted the visitors.