Panvel taps into solar energy, to use rooftops of five key bldgs

Feasibility study conducted at 22 locations; all chosen premises in Panvel city; tender floated to appoint contractor for design, supply and comprehensive operations

The Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to set up solar power systems on the roofs of five important buildings across the city to harness a prime energy resource. The civic body is likely to generate around 232 kw (AC) energy annually. All the five buildings are located in Panvel city.

The PMC has floated a tender to appoint a contractor for design, supply, installation, commissioning and comprehensive operation and maintenance of gridconnected solar plants. The project is likely to become operational in a year after awarding the contract.

Senior civic officials from Panvel have conducted a feasibility study for setting up a solar power project at its 22 electrical consumption points or locations. Of the studied 22 premises, the corporation now intends to commission solar power plants at five locations.

The five locations are Adya Krantiveer Vasudev Balwant Phadke Auditorium, fire office building, Dr Ambedkar Bhawan, STP Plant, and Vilasrao Deshmukh shopping complex under the PMC jurisdiction.

A number of studies have indicated the MMR has a huge potential to generate solar power. As per the Indian Institute technology (IIT) Bombay report in 2017, Mumbai alone had the potential to generate over 1700 MW of solar energy then. Even other cities like Thane, Navi Mumbai and Panvel have a lot of potential to tap alternate energy sources.

In 2017, the B-ward of the BMC had set up a solar project at a cost of Rs 18 lakh and started saving around Rs 4.5 lakh annually. This was followed by other civic wards in Mumbai.

As per the plan, the solar power generated from the PMC’s project will be used at the same premises and the surplus power will be shared with Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) by connecting with the grid.

Bhagwan Keshbhat, founder of Waatavaran Foundation, an NGO working to save the environment, said this is a great step by the corporation. “It conveys a good message to the masses. In fact, the civic body can encourage residents to use their rooftops for solar power generation,” said Keshbhat.

According to Keshbhat, in 2012-13, while working on a project, he came to know that power demand in 2013 in the state was around 13,000 MW. Now, the demand has reached 27,000 MW. “There is no option but to tap into alternate sources,” said Keshbhat. In addition, most power plants are coal-based and every unit of electricity generated pollutes the environment.