Jatindra Nath Swain, managing director of Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), inaugurated the 1.2 MWp solar power project at Akal University in Bathinda, Punjab.
The 1.2 MW solar project would generate more than 80% of power requirements of the Akal University and 13 Akal Academies. It has been built at a total cost of Rs 5.2 crore, out of which the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has provided a total subsidy of around Rs 1.7 crore.
In his address, Swain said that this solar project, which is the largest for any rural educational institution, displays the forward thinking of an educational organization like Kalgidhar Society.
“Solar power generation is a measure of sustainability and I am happy to see that Kalgidhar Society is harnessing the sun for making education system more sustainable. Along with solar, we also need to pay attention towards water conservation and rain water harvesting to tackle the problem of climate change,” he added.
This solar power plant project will reduce 35,000 metric tonnes of carbon emission over 25 years. Annual savings in power bills will be more than Rs 1 crore. The carbon reduction impact of the project during its life time is equivalent to planting of 82,000 trees, said J.P. Singh, Solar Consultant for the project.
Akal University Talwandi Sabo is run by the Kalgidhar Society headquartered at Baru Sahib near Rajgarh in Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh. The Kalgidhar Society is presently running 129 Akal Academies and three universities in rural areas of in north Indian states of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
The Kalgidhar Society has so far set up a total of 59 solar power plants in its Akal Academies in the region, in order to meet its energy demand from clean fuel.
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