‘Go Solar’ project good for State: Education Minister

Heads and representatives of various colleges and universities gathered at Anna university on Thursday to discuss the process of implementing the new solar power directives issued by the State.

As per the Solar Energy Policy 2012, the brainchild of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, all educational institutions in the State should have at least 6 per cent of its power needs met through solar energy installations by 2014. Solar panels would also be installed in all government buildings, old and new, Sudeep Jain, chairman and managing director of Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA), at the gathering said.

“Although the installation cost may seem high, they are low in maintenance and are one-time investments. Tamil Nadu receives the highest solar radiation in the country, only preceded by the Thar desert. We can easily fulfil the Solar Power Obligation (SPO), if we work in a dedicated manner,” he said, adding that solar water heating was now mandatory for all new buildings (even for domestic purposes) and for all industries using hot water or boilers.

Higher Education Minister P Palaniappan said, “Tamil Nadu is first in the country to produce wind energy. Germany is the world leader in producing solar energy. We have over 300 days of sunshine a year and we must use nature to create what we need.”

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