ANERT proposal for solar project submitted to Centre

Under the project, rooftop solar projects of varying capacities will be established at various government and non-governmental institutions.

The Agency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT) has submitted a proposal to the Centre to avail of central subsidies for grid-connected rooftop solar power projects - worth approximately Rs 18 crore - in the state.

Under this project, rooftop solar projects of varying capacities will be established at arious government and non-governmental institutions, including 10 collectorates - including here - the State Assembly and the Kerala University’s Kariavattom campus, ANERT director M Jayaraju said.

“The projects together total 1.83 megawatts (MW) in capacity and would cost approximately Rs 18 crore. We have now applied for the 30 per cent discount offered by the Ministry of  New and Renewable Energy (MNRE),” Jayaraju said.  In fact, work has commenced on a 100-KW project at Ernakulam Collectorate, he said. 

“In each place, the projects depend on the area available. So the capacity varies.

In some places we have proposed 50 KW projects, in others, 100 KW ones,” he said. Although the projects are envisaged as grid-connected facilities - meaning they can be connected to the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) grid - this part may take time to materialise as a foolproof mechanism is yet to be put in place.

Last year, ANERT had kicked off the ‘Solar Homes’ rooftop solar power projects, a flagship initiative of the UDF Government, which envisages the installation of rooftop solar power systems in 10,000 homes across the state. According to the ANERT director, the bookings so far have crossed 12,000 and 5,000 systems have been installed. Under this scheme, 1 KW rooftop non-grid connected systems are being installed in households. The Centre is providing a subsidy of Rs 53,262 and the state, Rs 39,000. The systems are being installed by firms empanelled by the ANERT.

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