After Raj Bhavan, solar power to light up Secretariat

• A CS move to install solar panels atop secretariat blocks
• Ambitious plan to include Assembly, other govt bldgs
• Third Raj Bhavan to go solar after J&K, Gujarat.

Hyderabad: Captive solar power plants are gaining greater importance in the state. While Raj Bhavan has switched over to solar energy, generating 190 units of power per day, the state government on Thursday took a decision to erect solar panels on the roof tops and parking lots in D & H Blocks of AP Secretariat on pilot basis.A This will be followed by erection of solar panels in other government buildings in a phased manner. Even the State Assembly is contemplating to switch over to solar power soon.

This is the third Raj Bhavan in the country, after J&k and Gujarat, to adopt solar energy which meets 70 per cent of the lighting load requirements in the building. Raj Bhavan has installed solar power packs with a total capacity of 41.05 units (KWp). According to Governor ESL Narasimhan's secretary PV Ramesh, the installed solar system generates 190 units per day.

The average units consumed by Raj Bhavan are 150 units per day. He said that the dynamics of solar power would help the monthly savings shoot up to Rs 33,750, which works out to be a total saving of Rs 4 lakh per annum as per the latest power tariff. Raj Bhavan falls under the category of Rs 7 per unit slab. Conventional energy is being used only in buildings like Durbar Hall, which is a heritage building and has a weak roof. In order to further promote energy conservation, all the street lights are being replaced with induction light of 120 watts and solar panels.

Interestingly, Chief Secretary Minnie Mathew on Thursday directed the officials to install solar power panels on the roofs of D and H blocks of the Secretariat. D block houses many important departments like Finance, Agriculture and Cooperation, Energy, Industries, Commerce, Science and Technology. The H block has department of Command Area Development, Law, Roads and Buildings, Higher Education, School Education etc.

According to officials, about 270kw of solar power can be tapped from 4,000 sq mts space available in D Block & about 90kw power from 1,300 sq mts space available in H Block. During working hours, the solar power can be utilised directly and beyond office hours, the solar power generated will be sent to the grid through the net metering arrangement.

The Chief Secretary has asked the officials to submit a detailed proposal on erection of solar panels within 3 days. A It is learnt that the Andhra Pradesh Assembly is also considering a proposal to set up a captive solar power plant on its premises to tide over the power crisis in future. Impressed by the functioning of the Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant of 25kw at the new Assembly building in Jaipur, the State Assembly is also planning to replicate its success.