At a time when the State government is promoting tapping of solar energy through a subsidy scheme for consumers to set up solar panels, the Tiruchi Corporation has chalked out a plan to ensure self-sufficiency in meeting its electricity demand for its offices.
As per the plan to be implemented under the Smart City Initiative, all 206 office buildings of the corporation will tap the solar energy by installing solar panels on terraces. The civic body has allotted a sum of ₹44 crore for the purpose. The corporation, which had completed the tender process for selecting a contractor for executing the project, is expected to give work order shortly.
According to sources, there are 206 offices for the corporation. Besides its main office on Bharathidasan Salai at Cantonment, it has zonal offices, ward level offices, sanitary offices, urban health centres and schools at different places. The civic body incurs ₹1.35 crore per year towards electricity chages for its offices.
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The solar power project aims to make the civic body’s offices self sufficient in power. The roofs of the building have a capacity of generating 831 KW of power.
Corporation Commissioner-cum-Special Officer N. Ravichandran said the buildings consumed 17.51 lakh units per year. The rooftop solar power project would enable the corporation to generate 18.79 lakh units, which was more than the requirement. It meant that there would be no need for spending electricity for the office buildings. It could save ₹1.36 crore a year. He said provision would be made to connect with the grid and excess power would be transmitted to the Tangedco. Installation of the solar panels would commence shortly.