Panchayat bhawans in Una get solar power

UNA: Power Minister Anil Sharma and Rural Development Minister Virender Kanwar today launched the ‘Saur Una’ scheme at the Zila Parishad bhawan here by activating a 33.

Power Minister Anil Sharma and Rural Development Minister Virender Kanwar today launched the ‘Saur Una’ scheme at the Zila Parishad bhawan here by activating a 33.5 KW solar power station. It began trapping solar power for Zila Parishad bhawan and the district panchayat office. The ministers later unveiled a 3 KW solar power station at Samoor Kalan panchayat bhawan. 

Speaking at the function, Anil Sharma said under ‘Saur Una’, all 234 panchayat bhawans, besides Una Zila Parishad bhawan, were being provided with solar power. Once done, Una would be the first district to have 100 per cent solar electrified panchayat bhawans. 

The minister said the Union Ministry for New and Renewable Energy provided the technical assistance and a share in funding for solar power schemes, adding that the state had deposited its share of Rs 4 crore for the solar electrification of panchayat bhawans. He urged other districts to make use of the green power. 

Rural Development Minister Virender Kanwar said after the success of the Una model, the scheme would be replicated in other districts. He said the panchayat bhawans were being fitted with 2KW to 3 KW solar power system. After utilising the requisite amount of energy, the surplus power would be routed to the grid of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB), providing additional income to the panchayats by the sale of electricity. Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Prajapati, who conceived the project, said about 500 KW solar power was projected to be generated after all 234 panchayat bhawans and the Zila Parishad Bhawan were connected with the facility.

Source: The Tribune