The Vellore Corporation is all set to go the solar way. It is taking steps to harness the energy for its office building and later expand it to the zonal offices and urban health posts.
It is currently working out ways to install solar panels on the rooftop of its building on Infantry Road. Officials said it has been proposed to generate 40 KVA (kilo volt ampere) of solar power. Technical and administrative nod has already been obtained.
Cost-cutting
“We are planning to tap solar energy to power the entire Corporation building,” an official said. The Corporation pays about Rs. 50,000 per month towards electricity charges and harnessing solar energy will help in cutting down this cost, they added.
The local body is now in the process of cancelling its previous tender for the work as the company had quoted a high cost for the project. It had issued the work order to an energy-based company.
However, the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA), in a letter, had said that the equipment required to generate 40 KW of solar power costs Rs. 40 lakh, while the company that was awarded the tender had quoted over Rs. 94 lakh.
As this would incur double cost for the Corporation, it was decided to cancel the work order issued. An official said that a Chennai-based company recognised by TEDA is being roped in for the job. This way, the local body gets to spend lesser. It takes Rs. 7.83 lakh to install equipment to generate 10 KW solar power.
The Corporation council’s nod has also been obtained. Officials said the work is likely to begin in a month or two. They said the number of panels to be installed on the rooftop will be according to the requirements of the building. However, the entire space available could be utilised.
“First, we are planning to generate and utilise solar power for the main Corporation building that is ground plus two floors.
Next, it has been proposed to tap solar energy for the four zonal offices, followed by nine urban health posts,” an official.
