Kullu entrepreneur sets up first hi-tech solar plant

Abhinav Vashisht

KULLU, APRIL 25

An entrepreneur of Kullu has set up the first hi-tech 250-KW solar plant of the district in Bhuntar, 10 km from here. Rahul Solanki, MD, Tara Solar Energy, said this was the first hi-tech solar plant of the state which was connected with Wi-Fi, providing round-the-clock monitoring of the entire system, including solar panels, inverters and distribution panels. He said the project was connected to the national grid on Tuesday for the testing phase of 15 days for synchronisation.

The MD said the MoU and Power Purchase Agreement had been signed between the company and the HPSEB for 25 years at the rate of Rs 4.06 for per unit of electricity. He said the project would generate about 1,250 units per day on an average and it was capable of generating electricity even during rains and adverse weather conditions.

Solanki said 657 solar panels of 375 watt each were set up in a four-bigha land. He said four 60-KW inverters and one 10-KW inverter and distribution panel of 250 KW were also installed. He said all the equipment was procured from Havells under the ‘’Make in India’’ campaign. He said various protection measures were also taken by the engineers. He said the cost of the entire project was about Rs 1.5 crore. He said the HP Government also provided a subsidy of Rs 5 lakh. He added that the project would provide employment to around 10 persons.

The MD said it was an initiative to produce clean and green energy. He added that the project was pollution-free and it would help the state in earning carbon credit.

Virender Chandel, Regional Manager, Havells, said the life of the solar panel was approximately 35 years and the company provided a warranty for 25 years. He said Havells was the only company in India to provide complete solutions under one roof for setting up the solar power plant. He said that the company provided a warranty of 10 years for the inverters and offered to buy back the equipment at 10 per cent of the cost after 25 years. He said the government provides a 40 per cent subsidy to set up small solar plants in houses and a 5-KW plant could be set up on the roof which can cater to daily household electricity requirements.