All 61 government PHCs in Udupi district begin harnessing solar energy
The Hindu
In a significant move in harnessing solar energy, all 61 government primary health centres (PHCs) in Udupi district are now using solar energy, meeting about 50% of their electricity requirement.
In a significant move in harnessing solar energy, all 61 government primary health centres (PHCs) in Udupi district are now using solar energy, meeting about 50% of their electricity requirement.
Udupi is the second district in Karnataka to install solar units in all PHCs after Raichur district which did it about two years ago.
The solar units have been installed at the centres in Udupi district for free by SELCO Foundation in association with 17 other donors. Of the centres include 58 PHCs, and one each sub-centre, an ayurvedic centre, and a malaria centre.
The ₹2.6 crore project in Udupi district began in 2023 and completed by September 2024, Guruprakash Shetty, Deputy General Manager, SELCO Solar Light Private Ltd., told The Hindu.
Of the total project cost, SELCO Foundation donated ₹1.46 crore and the remaining ₹1.14 crore was donated by others. Major contributors among others included TMG Sunidhi Foundation of Manipal (₹56 lakh), Can Fin Homes (₹14 lakh), Udupi District Mineral Fund of former Kundapur MLA Halady Srinivas Shetty (₹12 lakh), and Robosoft Technologies, Udupi (₹10 lakh). The remaining donors contributed between ₹1 lakh and ₹4 lakh.
“Each of the centres have been installed with 5 kW capacity off grid solar unit. They now meet 40% to 50% of the power requirement of PHCs. Their monthly electricity bill has come down from ₹7,000 to about ₹3,000 now,” Mr. Shetty said.
Shekar Shetty, Area Manager (Operations), SELCO Solar Light Pvt. Ltd., said that harnessing solar energy has helped the PHCs store vaccines in freezers of refrigerators. “Many rural areas in Udupi district face power cut once in a week especially on Tuesdays. PHCs located in such areas then draw power from the off-grid solar units to store vaccines,” he said.
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