Solar power to brighten up 40k rural households

LUCKNOW: Solar power back-up packs in Lohia Awas project homes can change the power scenario across the state.

The first-of-its-kind project to install solar power systems in 40,000 rural households in UP was bagged by Su-Kam earlier this year after getting a tender from the New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (NEDA). The agency was assigned this work by the UP government under the Lohia Awas project.

The project is aimed at providing affordable electricity to the rural poor through renewable sources and equip various villages across UP with infrastructure facilities.

As part of this, solar power packs are being installed in each of the rural houses in Lohia Awas villages across 19 districts in UP including Lucknow, Azamgarh, Basti, Deoria, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur etc.

The system for each house comprises of LED lights, 1 DC ceiling fan (25 w) and one solar charge controller unit with mobile charging point. The system will work even if it is raining for four days as the required energy is generated by the panel and stored in the battery. The smart charge controller unit charges the battery from the grid during cloudy days.

Ashish Sethi, vice-president, solar projects, Su-Kam said, “Now rural households in UP can enjoy benefits of solar power in their homes. Not only in Lohia Awas schemes, these systems must also be installed in other homes, offices, schools, colleges, government buildings, hospitals and commercial establishments.”