New Delhi:
The demand for energy in Uttarakhand is increasing day by day. Between
2002 and 2010, energy consumption in the state grew five times; yet many
villages still remain without power, as they are not connected to the
electricity grid. Some villages still receive erratic supply of power.
First
Solar and Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT), one of India’s oldest
philanthropic organisation, have joined hands to develop a pilot project
in Uttarakhand (under the trusts’ rural Himalayan initiative -
Himmothan Pariyojana), using First Solar’s advanced, thin-film
photovoltaic (PV) technology modules to help off-grid Indian villages
receive a reliable supply of clean energy for essential needs like safe
drinking water, besides irrigation. If successful, the pilot project has
the potential to be replicated across hundreds of villages throughout
India.
SRTT and its associate organisation,
Himmotthan Society, have always focused on providing rural communities
in Uttarakhand with affordable long-term solutions for livelihood
enhancement. The aim of the pilot project is to develop integrated
projects using technology, and in this case, select solar systems that
are low on maintenance and simple to install, maintain and use by local
communities. Ganesh Neelam, development manager, SRTT, welcomed the
support and contribution of First Solar. “We thank First Solar for
partnering with the installation of this system, which will help us take
up such innovative programmes to meet our community development goals,”
he said.
“We welcome the opportunity to
join hands with SRTT and Himmotthan Society in promoting the pilot
project on solar energy to provide safe drinking water, and in turn,
improving the quality of life of rural households,” said Anant Naik,
director - India, First Solar. This initiative will demonstrate First
Solar’s thin-film PV technology, its applicability, performance, and
more importantly, First Solar’s commitment towards sustainable
development whilst supporting such activities.
First
Solar will donate 100 modules to the project, which is being
implemented by Himmothan Society under the aegis of the SRTT, to
generate solar electricity for providing drinking water. Focused on
water pumping, the pilot project would combine First Solar’s advanced,
thin-film PV modules with water pumps to move water from spring sources
into storage tanks, thereby securing the village’s water supply. This
pilot would complement ongoing livelihood enhancement work by SRTT and
field partners through community institutions. The pilot project will
benefit 65 households, with a population of 530 individuals, in the
villages of Chureddhar and Chham (Gunogi) in Uttarakhand.
http://indiaeducationdiary.in/Shownews.asp?newsid=15534
No comments:
Post a Comment