Kolkata: Kolkata Municipal CorporationKMC)
By installing solar panels and lighting up 28 major parks and gardens, a big step is being taken to achieve green environmental protection.
As electricity bills soared, KMC asked Arka Ignou renewable energy community college, led by solar energy expert s p. Gon Chaudhuri, to design the project.
Fifty solar poles have been installed at deshadeya Park for a fee of Rs 40.
Gon Chaudhuri said the project will be funded by the Department for International Development.
Gon Chaudhuri, a consultant to the national power sector, said it was his dream project to develop a solar lighting system that did not have any batteries installed.
"All solar street light systems that appeared earlier were batteries-operated.
But for the first time in this country, the street light system generates electricity through solar panels without batteries.
"There is a micro inverter that is being fixed with the panel that converts solar energy," explained Gon Chaudhuri . ".
Since February, after monitoring the system, the KMC authorities have noted a significant 80% drop in electricity charges at desheviya Park.
According to officials, it is now saving about Rs 36,000 a month at descopria Park.
Encouraged by this result, KMC decided to light up 28 other parks, including Md Ali Park, College Square, Mados square, Subhas Sarobar Park, etc.
According to KMC officials, large parks are about Rs 35,000 to Rs 50,000 and medium-sized parks are about Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000
After installing the solar lights, the park will save the size every month.
"It will save about Rs 8 a year.
But funding is an issue that the KMC authorities have discussed with the national electricity minister, Manish Gupta, and have set up a committee for the task, "said a KMC official.
The KMC power sector was commissioned to investigate the selected 28 parks and submit a report within one month, and the authorities plan to implement the project from the end of this year.