Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Jan 30: Solar panels have been fitted over the roof of the government polytechnic functioning at Arbigudde in B Casba village here. In addition to generating power that is enough for its own consumption, the institution has also been supplying excess power to Mescom. This has been generating additional income to the polytechnic.

Thirty-three kv solar unit was installed in the polytechnic building in 2015. A total of Rs 20 lac was spent for the panels then. The then principal, Dr Chennagiri Gowda, had led the operation. Currently, head of the department of mechanical engineering, Devaraj Nayak, is in charge of its maintenance.

After the solar panels were installed, the college is saving about Rs 40,000 by way of power bill per month. If the sale of excess power is taken into account, the annual savings crosses five lac rupees. The amount spent on solar panel installation has already been covered. The maintenance of the solar power unit is free for 25 years. During a few months during the monsoon, the college will have to meet electricity bills. During holidays, unused power gets diverted to the grid of Mescom.