Sobhandeb inaugurates 10 kW solar plant

Kolkata: State Power and Non Conventional Energy Sources minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay inaugurated a 10 kilowatt solar plant at Lake View High School in ward 90 in South Kolkata on Saturday. The school is located in Rashbehari Assembly constituency from which Chattopadhyay is an elected MLA.

"We are gradually installing solar panels on rooftops of all state educational institutions and till date have put up such facilities in 1,500 colleges and schools across the state. In the ongoing financial year, we have set a target of having solar panels in 1,000 institutions," Chattopadhyay said.

It may be mentioned that land is a major issue in the state for having big solar projects but the Power department is coming up with small units for harnessing solar power. In the last three years, solar power generation in the state has gone up from 2 megawatt to 132 megawatt. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has laid emphasis on the solar energy through a project termed 'Aloshree' under which solar panels are being set up on the roof top of various government offices across the state.

An official in the department said a 20 kilowatt solar power plant has been installed at Deshbandhu College for Girls at Rashbehari Avenue a few months back. "They used to cough up Rs 20,000 per month as electricity bill. Last month, their bill has come down to a minimum," the official added.

The state Power department is in talks with a Singapore-based company which has expressed its interest to invest in solar projects in the state.

"They have been asked to make a detailed presentation regarding their plan following which the department will take a decision," the official added.