The Statesman                10.05.2013

KMC to install solar panels at headquarters

KOLKATA, 10 MAY: In order to reduce power consumption, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has decided to install solar panel on the roof of its headquarters in S N Banerjee Road.

The decision to install solar panel was taken after the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy instructed all civic bodies in the state to reduce electricity consumption three months ago.

Around 500 kilowatt electricity would be generated after the solar panel is installed.

Later, solar panels would be installed on other rooftops of the KMC headquarters, said Mr Debasish Kumar, member, mayor-in-council (parks and gardens).

If the project is a success, solar panels will be installed in all parks and gardens in the city.

This is one of the many initiatives to beautify the city, Mr Kumar said.

The KMC has formed an expert committee for installing solar panels. The committee, comprising Mr S P Gon Chaudhuri, managing director of the state Green Energy Development Corporation Ltd, director general (electrical) and senior officials of the lighting and electricity department of the KMC was formed two months ago.

The civic body has started preparing a detailed project report and a tender will be floated soon in this regard.

Mr Gon Chaudhuri will provide technical assistance to implement it.

The KMC's electricity bill went up to Rs 24 crore in a month from Rs 12 crore after the trident lamps were installed in the city.

 The civic body has taken the initiative to generate power from solar panels as it cannot pay the heavy bills to the Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC), a senior KMC official said.