The Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) on Saturday formally came to be the first UDA in the State to install a roof-top solar power unit on its building. MLA J.R. Lobo and MLC Ivan D’Souza inaugurated the facility in the presence of MUDA Chairman Kodijal Ibrahim.
The 25 kWp solar grid-tied power system costing Rs. 27.20 lakh was installed on the terrace of the MUDA building at Urva Stores. With this, MUDA building became the second building in Mangaluru to have the facility, after the office of Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada.
Speaking on the occasion, MUDA Commissioner Mohammed Nazeer said the Authority would now save up to Rs. 25,000 a month on power bills. It had informally commissioned the unit on April 28 and so far generated over 1,000 units of power. About 120 units of power is generated per day. MUDA would stand to gain by selling excess power to Mangalore Electricity Supply Company, he added.
Mr. Lobo urged the Mangaluru City Corporation to explore the possibility of installing solar power units at its sewage treatment plants and water supply units, thereby reducing the financial burden. He said Dakshina Kannada district which gets sunlight for about 300 days a year is highly suitable for solar power production.
The MCC would follow suit soon, said Mayor M. Harinath, who also hinted that the Corporation is planning to enable all street lights to function with solar power. The district administration has also asked the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat to install rooftop solar power unit on its building as well as to encourage gram panchayats to follow the same.
