Biggest solar power plant commissioned

India’s first-ever 3 Mw solar photovoltaic power plant, erected by the Karnataka Power Corpora-tion Limited (KPCL), the state-owned power generating company, was dedicated to the nation at Yalesandra village in Kolar district on Thursday. The plant, which uses modular crystalline technology to generate solar energy, has been set up at a cost of Rs 59.5 crore.

This is the biggest solar power plant in the country today. The previous claimant to the honour was set up in West Bengal, which had only a 1 Mw capacity.

Inaugurating the plant, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Far-ooq Abdullah said, the gov-ernment was planning to add 1,000 Mw of solar energy to the national grid in the next three years as part of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission.

“Karnataka is a pioneer in using solar energy and the state should take steps to install solar-powered LED lamps for lighting the streets,” he said.

Abdullah also suggested that the Karnataka government install solar water heaters in all hospitals, government offices, hostels and other institutions to reduce its dependency on conventional energy sources.

The 3 Mw solar photo vol-taic plant set up in Kolar district will provide energy to 500 pumpsets of 10 HP each and benefit about 1,000 farmers.

The unique feature of the plant is that the power would be available to farmers during the day for their agricultural operations. The pl ant has already generated 3 million units in six months it has been in operation as against the annual expected generation of 4 million units.

The KPCL has also set up similar 3 Mw solar photo vol-taic plants in Belgaum and Raichur districts. While the plant in Belgaum is already operational, the Raichur unit will be commissioned next month. In the second phase, the KPCL is planning to set up 100 Mw of solar energy plants as joint ventures with the private sector.