1,400 solar lights installed in villages

Tribune News Service

Mohali, December 17

To promote non-conventional energy sources, especially in the local rural area, the Punjab Energy Development Authority (PEDA), has installed 1,400 subsidised solar lights installed in various villages of the district, here.

Apart from that, 16 home-based biogas plants on subsidy rates have also been installed for the purpose.

Giving details, the district manager of the PEDA, Suresh Goel, said the government was providing subsidy of Rs 4,500 per light, Rs 9,000 and Rs 11,000 on home-based biogas plant for the households of general category and SC category, respectively.

An exhibition was also held at Gurdwara Amb Sahib to make people aware of the non-conventional energy sources and non-conventional appliances, too.

Goel said that under the Solar Farm Scheme, a farmer could install a solar plant worth capacity 1 MW to 2.5 MW, at his farm. The power thus generated from the solar plant would be bought by the Punjab State Power Corporation. “A minimum of 4.5 acre of land is required for the installation of 1MW solar power plant”, said Goel while adding that five persons had applied for it so far.

The department is going to install 1,500 solar lights in the district, after getting necessary approval from the higher authorities.