The schools with over 200 enrollments have been selected for the installation of rooftop solar panels
In accordance with the last year’s announcement to install rooftop solar systems in 1,521 government schools, the Indian state of Telangana will have over 500 government schools with access to solar power by March. The state government put forward its solar plan for these schools last year at a cost of Rs 32 crore in 12 districts.
As per the officials at the Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation (TSREDCO), solar panels have been installed in over 100 government schools till now. Moreover, work orders have been issued for another 453 schools.
Notably, TSREDCO invited tenders in September 2022 for the installation of solar panels and finalized 11 vendors. Presently, the chosen vendors are installing 2-5 KW rooftop solar systems in the schools.
A senior official stated, “In the first phase of the project, we will be installing solar panels in about 500 government schools. We are expecting to finish the work of all the 1,521 schools in the next few months.”
Officials believe that the installation of solar panels would not only help in bringing down the annual power bills of the schools to a large extent but also help them in earning money through the excess power generated and transferred to the grid.
Interestingly, the schools with over 200 enrollments have been selected for the installation. It is learnt that out of the chosen 1,521 schools, 916 schools fall under the Southern Power Distribution Company Limited and the remaining 605 fall under the Northern Power Distribution Company Limited.
A senior Telangana official remarked: “Of late, government schools have increasingly become interactive due to smart classes and usage of computer systems in large numbers. This has led to higher electricity bills for the schools. The solar panels installed in schools will reduce the power bill loads while providing an uninterrupted power supply.”
