Shivamogga: Rooftop solar power generation is gaining momentum in Shivamogga. The city corporation is considering a proposal to set up solar power panels all along the Tunga canal passing in the outskirts of the city.
This may further motivate people to take up similar power generation projects, sources said. Presently, there are four solar power units in the city and four more applications are in the pipeline. According to the Assistant Executive Engineer of Mangaluru Electricity Supply Company (MESCOM) Limited Mr Beerappa , “ a total of 2 solar units with 5 kw capacity were installed in the rooftop of the Vipra Multipurpose Souharda Cooperative Limited in Vinobanagar area. They are expected to generate around 5-8 kw per day from these units.”
Another solar power generation unit with a capacity of 5 kw is on the rooftop of the residence of Mr Shivashankar at Gopala Gowda Extension in the city. “In the past 45 days, MESCOM has purchased 178 units of power from Mr Shivashankar at a rate of Rs 9.56 per unit”, the MESCOM officer said.
Considering the geography and climate of Shivamogga city, one can expect an average of 10 units or kilowatts per day of power generation, according to the authorities of different solar power equipment companies. The Deepak petrol station on BH Road in the city is functioning with solar power.
According to its owner, D.S. Arun, “for the past three months, nearly 75 per cent of the total operations of the entire petrol bunk, including the petrol and diesel units are run by solar power.
There are three units of 5kw installed on the top of the office of the bunk. There is also a plan to add two more such units to become self-reliant in power generation”, he said. The MESCOM authorities are creating awareness among consumers on the benefits of rooftop solar power generation by distributing pamphlets.
Download the all new Deccan Chronicle app for Android and iOS to stay up-to-date with latest headlines and news stories in politics, entertainment, sports, technology, business and much more from India and around the world.
