Seven temples in Tiruchi, Perambalur and Pudukottai districts are being provided with solar power units with a view to bring down the expenditure towards power consumption.
The Rockfort Sri Thayumanaswamy Temple in Tiruchi, Sri Mathura Kali Amman Temple in Siruvachur, Sri Subramanyaswamy Temple in Kumara Vayalur, Sri Vekkali Amman Temple in Woraiyur, Sri Jambukeswarar – Akilandeswari Temple in Tiruvanaikovil have set up the solar power units.
According to officials, the solar units of varying capacities depending on the requirement have helped bring down the power bill, although the plan involved an initial investment of Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 9 lakh depending on the capacity of the solar power plants.
The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) accords special concession to temples and levies Rs.7 a unit.
Even then, the temples have to shell out a huge sum ranging between Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 30,000 as bi-monthly expenditure towards energy bills.
The temples have been using the green energy during the day while in the night they switch over to the power supply from the TANGEDCO. Sources said that the bi-monthly electricity bills has come down by about Rs. 5,000 for the Rockfort Sri Thayumanaswamy Temple, Rs. 10,000 for the Sri Subramniaswamy Temple in Kumara Vayalur and by Rs. 4,000 at Sri Mathura Kaliamman Temple in Siruvachur.
The HR and CE Department introduced the plan about a year ago and the plan is being implemented in a phased manner at the temples where power consumption was more than Rs.20,000. However, sources said that additional quality should be ensured for the solar power units. “We are unable to operate the computers using the solar energy. Further, low voltage has been a problem in a few ‘prakarams’ and shrines,” they said.
A few private companies vie with one another in furnishing the lowest tender for the temples.
“But, that should not dilute the quality,” says the source. Further, the HR and CE officials want back-up facility to be provided by the TANGEDCO so that the green energy generated during the summer could be best utilised in the night too.
