The district administration of Guntur in Andhra Pradesh is being able to successfully project itself as a solar power house and a promoter of renewable energy by putting solar energy to maximum use. A solar rooftop system that was set up in the Guntur Collectorate with a capacity of 80 KWp, is minimizing the electricity cost manifold, besides conserving the nonrenewable resources and being environment friendly. Former District Collector of Guntur, Vivek Yadav, had started the project of installing the solar rooftop in the Collectorate at a total cost of around 39.78 lakhs.
SOLAR ROOFTOP SYSTEM
While speaking to Indian Masterminds, IAS officer Vivek Yadav said, “We wanted to start the project with the Collectorate as we had a lot of open spaces on top of the buildings. Based on the total space available, and whatever best capacity we could get, it was installed. After a tender was rolled out, an agency was selected and the work started earlier this year.”
The Non-Conventional Energy Development Corporation (NCEDC) of Andhra Pradesh Limited had taken up the project and started work in January 2022. The project was inaugurated by the current DC of Guntur, Venu Gopal Reddy, in June 2022.
SAVING ELECTRICITY
IAS officer Venu Gopal Reddy, while speaking to Indian Masterminds, said, “The solar rooftop system is basically an on-grid system and is connected to net meter through which we can easily import and export whenever required. Every day, around 150 KWp electricity is consumed in the Collectorate, out of which 80 KWp is being generated by the solar rooftop. Therefore, more than half of the electricity is being supplied by the solar system.”
He further added that the saving itself is around 1,20,000 per month as earlier the electricity slab was of Rs 13.50 per unit. After installation of the solar system, it has come down to almost Rs 7 per unit. In another 4-5 years, it will reach the breakeven of what was invested and 20-21 years after that, they will be using electricity free of cost.
Besides conserving energy, the solar panels are also environment friendly, as about 0.07 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent is saved per day which equals to 70 kgs of fossil fuels, further saving 31 to 46 trees. Thus, through these solar rooftop systems, pollution can be reduced.
PROMOTING RENEWABLE ENERGY
Mr. Reddy also mentioned that the maintenance cost of this solar system is almost negligible as cleaning is the only way to maintain the system, and that too once in 15 days. He said, “We are also promoting floating solar system which can be used on water where there is lesser space. The system can produce 500 KWp which means half megawatt. This floating solar is mainly used in running the pumping house for supplying drinking water to the Guntur Municipal Corporation.”
He also said that the system is ready and will be up and rolling in another two weeks. Apart from this, solar systems of around two megawatt are being installed in colleges and other institutions of Guntur.
