Panchayat plans to set up solar power plants.

The district panchayat's farms at Vithura and Chettachal will soon become a source of solar power generation with the Kerala State Electricity Board submitting a detailed project report to the State Planning Board for generating 30 kilo watt of electricity.

Sources said the KSEB had submitted a report to the State Planning Board for allocation of funds from the budgetary provision of Rs. 500 crore as additional plan fund for taking up innovative projects by Corporations and district panchayats in the State.

“The panchayat wants to set up solar plants in five of their farms. However, we have zeroed in on sites at Vithura and Chettachal. The power generated will be transmitted to the power utility’s grid,” an official with KSEB told The Hindu .

The civic body will incur the cost towards establishing the rooftop solar plants.

The cost of per megawatt of solar power is estimated to be around Rs. 85,000, the official said.

According to president of the district panchayat, V. K Madhu, the civic body would be able to bring down monthly power bill to a considerable level and in the long term channelize the money for welfare and development purpose.

“The KSEB will be approached to see whether solar plants could be established in farms at Ulloor and Chirayinkeezhu,” he said.

The civic body is examining the possibility of establishing mini-hydel projects in Meenmutty near Kallar, Madathara near Tropical Botanic Garden at Palode and Peringamala.

“We are in the discussion stage and a decision will be taken shortly. We will see whether funds could be sourced from the additional plan allocation,” Mr Madhu said.



THE HINDU