Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Oct 13: MLC, Ivan D'Souza, said that Dakshina Kannada stands only behind Bengaluru in the entire state as far as using solar energy with panels is concerned. He was addressing a press meet here on Friday October 12.
He said that during the last year, 377 solar energy units built over the roofs were installed. These solar units have been generating 5,081.58 KW energy, he explained. Out of them, 177 have been installed in this city alone, producing 1641 KW energy, he revealed.
"Even under smart city project, ample opportunities have been given for boosting power generation through solar panels. Under this scheme, 1,500 KW of energy is proposed to be generated through the roof-mounted solar panels, he stated. We had set up rooftop solar panels of 3 KW each in 50 schools of Dakshina Kannada district by using his local area development grant last year. All these units are working well. The schools also get incentive of over a thousand rupees each from Mescom," he added.
Ivan said he has spoken to the district superintendent of police and city police commissioner, urging them to set up solar panels in all police stations. He said that the rural development and panchayat raj department had taken a decision to set up solar panels in all the gm panchayats within their limits. He added that he had used his grants for providing solar-powered lightings to homes of 35 Endosulfan victims at Perabe, Puttur taluk. He stated that he had approached the city corporation here as well as the zilla panchayat, asking them to make it compulsory to set up solar panels wherever the built up area of houses is over 2,000 square feet, duly adding that the zilla panchayat has been told to convert all high mast street lights into those powered by solar energy. He felt that the city corporation can make it compulsory for commercial units to erect solar panels before issuing licences to them.
He has asked the deputy commissioner of the district to hold meeting for discussing the issue of increasing solar energy use. He said that solar panels have been kept ready for installation in Mangala Stadium in the city.