SMC adopts solar power, 18k units/month to be generated in Gujarat

Surat Municipal Corporation has taken a step further in realising its dream of becoming 'Solar City'. The civic body has decided to use green energy for its needs and prove its commitment of accepting eco-friendly techniques. It has decided to install solar panels at two places on trial basis.

Solar panels will be placed at Mughalsarai - head office of SMC, located near Chowk Bazaar, and at Science Centre, located at City Light road.

Civic officials conducted preliminary survey to work out the feasibility of placing solar panels at both these places.
Total power generation of solar panels at both the places will be 25 kw per hour. Simply put, it means generation of 25 units per hour. This is an average generation of solar panel, which can also be increased over time.

"The electricity generated will be transferred by grid of Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. [GUVNL] and Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Ltd. (DGVCL). The amount generated by transferring electricity will be deducted from monthly electrical bills of SMC," Jatin Shah, city engineer of SMC, said.

According to Shah 18,000 units of electricity will be generated per month from solar panels. Going by the calculation of Rs5 per unit, SMC will save Rs90,000 per month in its electrical bills.
SMC will incur cost of Rs35-40 lakh for installing solar panels at both places. At present, it has initiated the process of identifying consultants for placing these panels.

The entire project is on trial basis. If the project achieves desired results, SMC has plans to frame a policy for usage of solar power at public buildings.