A new project to promote the use of solar power in the domestic sector is on the anvil in the district. Government agencies are all set to roll out the new environmental-friendly initiative, which envisages the allotment of 1 KW solar power packs at a subsidised rate for domestic use.
Sources said that as many as 448 solar power packs of 1 KW capacity each are expected to be sanctioned to the district as part of the first phase of the ambitious scheme, soon.
The move is intended to enable domestic power consumers to harness clean renewable energy, cut down on electricity bills, and overcome the problem of power outages.
The district has earned a good reputation in embracing solar power initiatives that cater to the lighting needs of tribal people living in habitations without electricity in Bhadrachalam Agency.
The New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation (NREDC) had earlier installed solar charging stations; one each in around 100 tribal habitations in the Agency areas. However, many tribal habitations, equipped with solar power facility, had been transferred to residuary Andhra Pradesh as per the AP Reorganisation Act.
Apart from distributing more than 1,000 solar lanterns to the tribal people in the Agency, the Corporation has set up solar powered streetlights and other devices in several Ashram schools in both Bhadrachalam and Palvancha divisions under the Centre-sponsored schemes. “The domestic solar power packs will not only help users cut down on their power bills and harness clean energy but also reduce dependence on thermal power,” said G S V Prasad, district manager, NREDC.
The modalities for sanctioning the domestic solar power packs at a subsidised rate will be finalised in a State-level meeting slated to be held in Hyderabad later this month, he said.
