More solar street lights in Coimbatore region's villages

As many as 28 villages in Coimbatore region will soon get 15 street lights each that will be powered by solar energy.

The Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA) officials had discussions with the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) in this regard here on Wednesday. Solar street lights have been installed under the Tamil Nadu Village Habitations Improvement (THAI) scheme in 42 locations in 2011-2012. Each village received about 10 solar street lights.

The basic infrastructure for these is provided by the Tangedco. For 2012-2013, the number of locations has been reduced to 28. Another 420 lights will be installed in these places under the THAI scheme.

An official of TEDA told

The Hindu that each street light would have a 20 watt LED lamp. A village panchayat usually has at least 15 street lights. By reducing the number of locations and increasing the solar street lights for each village, it will be possible to cover the entire village under the solar project. The project is only for village panchayats. A State-level study has been conducted on the impact of the installation of the solar lights. The meeting here was for Tangedco officials in Coimbatore circle.

The project for 2013-2014 will commence as soon as the installations for 2012-2013 are completed, the official said.