Making an ecofreindly move to utilize solar power, UP New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) took the initiative to install the first 75 kw rooftop solar power plant at Vikas Bhawan in Varanasi.
The plant has been made functional but it will be used after the installation of meters within two days.
The process of equipping many other government buildings with solar power is also in progress. Solar high-mast lights are being installed at 38 places, including DM office, tehsil sadar, Vikas Bhawan, Ashram Padyati Vidyalaya (one each in Harhua, Tarsada and Chandapur), Markande Mahadev temple, Jalpa Devi in Babatpur, Sindhaura, Basni, among others.
Solar streetlights are also being installed in villages under Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Samagra Gram Vikas Yojna. As many as 1,000 solar lights were installed in 100 villages, 413 more are being installed in 23 villages this year.
Solar power packs comprising three lights and a fan (solar-powered) have also been distributed in villages under Lohiya Gram Awaas Yojna. From 2012-2014, 628 solar power packs had been installed while installation of other 563 is underway.
Mini-grid solar power plants of 5 kw and 2 kw each have been installed at Bal Sudhar Grih in Ramnagar and Nari Niketan in Jaitpura.
By Baishakhi Dutta
