At a time when solar energy is emerging as an alternative source of energy, the State government has begun to harness the power to pump water to tanks in villages, with the authorities concerned laying emphasis on tapping solar power to address the needs of the people.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Tuesday, launched the project on an experimental basis at Varuna hobli, under the Varuna constituency represented by him in the Legislative Assembly.
Mysuru district is selected for the pilot project, with as many as 40 such tanks (five each in eight Assembly constituencies) planned to be built in the near future.
The tank at Varuna village is built at an estimated cost of Rs 5 lakh. A polymer overhead water tank — having a capacity to store 5,000 litres of water — has been installed on an elevated iron made platform.
An automatic submersible pump of 2HP and a water leveller controller has been fixed to it.Four solar panels, for generating 900 watts of power, have been installed.
A hand pump is also connected to the tank, besides taps to enable people avail water.Barring three constituencies in Mysuru city, similar tanks will be installed at Chamundeshwari, Varuna, T Narsipur, Nanjangud, H D Kote, Hunsur, K R Nagar and Periyapatna constituencies in the district.
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