The Hindu 12.08.2009
Chennai Corporation to tap solar energy
Aloysius Xavier Lopez
— Photo: R. Ragu
GOING SOLAR: Many Chennai Corporation buildings will soon get solar photovoltaic panels, similar to those installed on the rooftop of EVK Sampath Maligai by TEDA.
CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation will harness solar energy for its new buildings and those structures that are due for renovation.
“A part of the power requirement for lighting and heating components of our new buildings will be met by solar-powered equipment and applications,” Rajesh Lakhoni, Commissioner of the Corporation, told The Hindu. Such new buildings include the proposed multi-speciality hospital at Alwarpet, the modern auditorium at Shenoy Nagar, the new Communicable Diseases Hospital at Tondiarpet and Corporation office buildings in Zone 2 and 5.
According to sources, provision for cutting-edge technology to tap solar energy has been incorporated in the design of the hospital at Alwarpet. The use of solar power would be important for hospitals to heat water.
The civic body does not plan to go for LEED (green) rating for the proposed buildings.