Govt to set up solar panels in correctional homes

In a unique initiative, the state government is planning to set up solar panels on the rooftops of various correctional homes in the state.

After the state government had taken a decision to set up solar panels on the roofs of correctional homes, the Chief Secretary had written to the correctional home department asking to take initiatives to implement the project as soon as possible.

Following the instruction from the state correctional home department, the West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency (WBREDA) had started survey work to implement the project.

In the state, there are of around 1,47,51,485 square meter roof top altogether in 59 correctional homes. In the first phase, the solar panels would be set up on 5 correctional homes such as Dum Dum Central Correctional Home, Alipore Central Correctional Home, Presidency Correctional Home, Bankura Correctional Home and Purulia correctional home. The state power department, non-conventional power department has tied with the correctional home department to smoothly implement the project.

According to a senior official of the power department, a solar plant with a capacity 20 KVA each would be installed on roof of the correctional homes for which the state government will bear a cost of Rs 14 lakh for each plant.

The various departments are, however, examining in which buildings it would be easier to install solar plants. It was learnt from the sources that the solar plants would be installed on the buildings which had proper infrastructure and where the sunlight falls. 

The geographical position of correction homes would be taken into consideration. The solar monitoring cell would monitor the project of setting up solar panels on the roofs of these correctional homes.

Once the project is implemented, the correctional homes could produce the power required by them. It may be mentioned that state power department has taken up an elaborate scheme to install solar plants on the school buildings, government offices to produce energy. Solar plants have already been installed on various school buildings.

After coming to power Mamata Banerjee government had laid a great stress on the renewable energy and development non-conventional energy.