Five government village schools in Udupi district harness solar energy

The government higher primary school at Kakkunje village, Brahmavar taluk of Udupi district, has round the clock power supply since August this year. Though many houses in the village, that has only one bus passing through once in the morning and in the evening, do face power cuts, the school harnesses solar energy continously from a 5 kW off grid unit.

The government higher primary school at Kakkunje village, Brahmavar taluk of Udupi district, has round the clock power supply since August this year. Though many houses in the village, that has only one bus passing through once in the morning and in the evening, do face power cuts, the school harnesses solar energy continously from a 5 kW off grid unit.

The solar unit was set up freely by Canfin Homes and SELCO Solar Light Pvt. Ltd. under the corporate social responsibility initiative.

“The electricity bill of the school since this August has dropped from about ₹2,500 a month to the minimum payable to the MESCOM which is below ₹200,” H. Raghavendra Naik, Headmaster, told The Hindu.

The solar unit has come in handy in operating the lighting systems, fans, CCTV cameras, projector, computer laboratory, mixer grinder and a 1.5 HP capacity pump to draw water from the well round the clock, he said.

Mr. Naik added, “The main advantage of the solar unit is that we will be able to operate the digital education system, which the school will get next week, throughout the day without facing any power cut.” The digital education system donated by Robosoft Technologies of Udupi will be installed at the school next week.

The school has 110 students from Classes I to VIII with 11 rooms. The mixer grinder at the kitchen is operated with solar energy for preparing mid-day meal without any apprehension of facing power cut, he said.

Kakkunje school is among five such government schools in Udupi that have been installed with solar units by Canfin Homes and SELCO since April 2024. The first 15 kW solar unit was set up at Haklady High School, near Byndoor.