'Power house' at CM's residence

Solar power system atop these buildings to produce 10 KW power

The State government has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to install the system in these buildings to generate 10 kW of power.

Apart from the three government bungalows, the Narasimharaja hostel in Chamarajpet has also been chosen to set up a similar system of 3 kW capacity.

The Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) is taking up these projects on a pilot basis.

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Rooftop power system has been adopted extensively in Europe. The 500 kW solar power system was installed in Harvard University in the US recently. In this system, photovoltaic panels exposed to sunlight will convert sunlight into direct current (DC). A inverter connected to the panels will then convert the DC into alternative current (AC).

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) of MNRE would sponsor 40 per cent of the total investment as subsidy. The total expenditure on the project is expected to be around Rs 30 lakh. “Cost of production for each kilowatt is between Rs 2.75 lakh to Rs 3 lakh. Tenders will be floated after the MNRE clears the proposal,” KREDL Assistant General Manager Dr H Naganagouda said.

The MNRE, under its Jawaharlal Nehru Solar Mission, will promote the rooftop solar power system in a major way.

The rooftop solar system is new in Karnataka. Initially, the government plans to encourage the system on rooftops of institutes which have wide space. However, panels are  available for installation on thatched huts too. If an individual generates more power than his requirement, the excess can be supplied to the power grid.

However, the State government has to obtain the clearance of Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission to execute the plan. The government will begin the process in this regard after the pilot project is completed.