9.6 MW solar power parks at Panjapur begin power generation

9.6 MW solar power park in Panjapur generates electricity, saving Tiruchi Corporation ₹8.94 crore annually.

The 9.6 MW solar power parks established at Panjapur on the Tiruchi-Madurai Highway has begun power generation.

Minister for Municipal Administration K. N. Nehru commissioned the facility on Friday. Collector M. Pradeep Kumar, Mayor M. Anbazhagan, Corporation Commissioner V. Saravanan and senior officials participated in the function.

With a view to reduce the cost of electricity, Tiruchi Corporation had installed solar panels on a 13-acre land at Panjapur with a capacity to generate 2.4 MW of electricity in 2020. Since the Corporation chose the same site, where the solar park was established, to build the Integrated Bus Terminus, the civic body decided to shift the park to a different location.

The solar park was later shifted to a 35-acre land owned by the civic body in Panjapur. By utilising ₹39 crore sanctioned under the Smart Cities Mission, the civic body decided to install solar panels to establish three more solar parks, each having a capacity to generate 2.4 MW of electricity. The installation work that began in 2011 came to an end a few months ago. All four solar parks will have combined capacity of 9.6 MW.

According to sources, the electricity being produced from the solar panels has been connected with the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation’s (Tangedco) power grid at Edamalaipattipudur. The panels will produce 43,000 units of electricity per day and 159 lakh units per year. Various utilities of the Corporation including drinking water pumping stations, underground drainage systems, overhead tanks, high power lights and others consume 492.36 lakh units per year. The civic body pays ₹35.20 crore towards electricity charges to the Tangedco every year. With the generation of 159 lakh units of solar power, the Corporation will save ₹8.94 crore per year.