RAJKOT: Aiming to harness non-conventional energy, the Rajkot Municipal Corporation
(RMC) has decided to install a 100 kilowatt (kW) solar grid connect
system at its central zone office located at Dhebar Road. The civic body
had earlier installed such systems at its east and west zone offices.

RMC officials said that the tender had been floated in this regard and
within the next three months, the system at Dhebar Road will be
operational. Cost for installing the solar power system is estimated to be around Rs1.5 crore.

“Once this system is installed, RMC will have a total of 210 kW solar
power available with it. The system at west zone office is of 70 kW
while the one at the east zone is of 50 kW,” said Alpna Mitra, officer
on special duty at RMC.

“Central government provide 35 per cent
subsidy for installation of a solar power system to the RMC. We have
undertaken various measures to conserve energy by using non-conventional energy
sources as well as energy-efficient instruments. Our target is to
reduce 10 per cent energy consumption by adopting various methods,” she
said.

RMC plans to reduce the electricity expenses at all its
offices in a phased manner by switching over to solar energy. “The
installation of solar power based energy harvesting system helps reduce
power expenses in the longer run and also in environmental
conservation,” said an RMC official.

Sources said that RMC has
initiated the process for preparing a detailed project report for
installation of a solar power grid system at the indoor stadium at Race
Course.