Solar awareness

To address the increasing demand-supply gap in the power sector due to the severe fuel crisis, the State Government, which has initiated major steps towards the promotion of solar power has decided to take up door-to-door campaigning to create widespread awareness among public on generation and usage of solar power. As part of the initiatives for the development of Green power, the government was planning to conduct a big solar exhibition in coordination with industrial associations like Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) to highlight the impact of solar power for the benefit of industries, entrepreneurs and general public. Disclosing the details M. Sahoo, Principal Secretary, Energy, during teleconference today with Sutirtha Bhattacharya, In-charge CMD/APTRANSCO, Munindra, Special Secretary, Energy and P. Ramesh, JMD/APTRANSCO, said the Govt. was leaving no stone unturned to tap the abundant Solar Power potential in the State. Through Solar Power Policy, the government has put up immense thrust on the development of solar energy, which is the best option of Green power, to encourage industries and other entities to set up solar power plants for captive consumption as well as for third-party sale within the State. On the Solar Power front, APTRANSCO has already invited Bids for procurement of 1000 MW of solar power, which attracted good response, with 331 bids offering 1730 MW of Solar Power. APTRANSCO has offered the bidders to convey their willingness to supply solar power at the purchase price of Rs 6.49 per unit (kwh) within one month from date of issue of the letter dated May 4. The momentum on harnessing the solar power has been picked up in the State and many developers, entrepreneurs and individual consumers are coming forward to establish solar plants/panels for which connectivity has been provided by APTRANSCO to such plants without any charge for transmission of their power from the production point to the consumption destination. So far, Connectivity for 779 MW of Solar Power has been permitted for industries having captive power plants.  Roof Top Solar Power is another important source of energy and Government is being contemplating to support and encourage this in a bigger way. Presently, Government of India has been offering 30% subsidy to Roof Top Solar Power. State Government, through budgetary support, is planning to offer 20% subsidy, in addition to this 30% subsidy by Government of India. The Principal Secretary, Energy has directed the officials to explore the various ways and means to tap the Solar Power potential to the maximum extent possible and wish that every household in the State should become a Solar Power house, to make AP a model Solar Power State in the country.