Supporting the State government’s attempts to bring down power consumption, the Agency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT) will distribute 2,000 solar lanterns at a subsidised rate in the district. The product has been brought to the district headquarters and the distribution will begin shortly after processing the applications.
The government-approved model which costs Rs.3,000 is supplied to the shortlisted beneficiaries at Rs.890. Beneficiaries will be selected in such a way as to give proportionate representation to all grama panchayats in the district. Altogether 12,000 solar lanterns will be distributed across the Malabar region at this subsidised rate.
The new project is part of the ANERT’s State-wide solar thermal and solar photovoltaic projects to tap the maximum from the non-conventional energy sources. Screening of candidates to allot roof-top solar power plants at a subsidised rate is also in the final phase in the Malabar region.
According to officers from the ANERT’s regional office in Kozhikode, the supply of solar lantern will be a continuing project. This financial year, the government’s target is to distribute over one lakh solar lanterns to households in Kerala.
Along with the subsidised distribution of solar lanterns, ANERT is also planning to distribute the product free to the families of physically challenged persons in Kerala. Kozhikode district will get 350 such free lanterns.
“We have been receiving applications from the physically challenged for the project. Only persons whose houses are not electrified will be considered for the scheme,” says C. Sebastian, Regional Programme Manager, ANERT. According to him, the supply will begin within a couple of weeks. Only the first 350 applications will be considered. The rest will be taken up for the next phase of allotment.
