Sports complex in Ahmedabad to run on solar power

 In a first of its kind, a sports complex in the city will draw one-third of its power from solar panels installed on its rooftop. The project is being jointly implemented by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) for Memco sports complex in north zone of the city.

The project will be of 100 kilowatt capacity and is being installed at a cost of Rs 1.4 crore. The AMC plans to implement a similar project atop the central office in Khamasa.

In a city which pays the highest power tariff in the country, many government offices are seen wasting power with impunity. The solar power system will power tube lights and fans installed in the facility while high-powered halogen lights will run on conventional electricity.

Though installation and capital costs of these power generators are astronomical, it is the long-term implications and savings they bag in five to 10 years that matter, say GEDA officials.

For instance, a 10-kilowatt of hybrid power installation provides 35-40 units of electricity which powers 150 tube lights for eight hours or 100 watt bulbs for 40 hours. "A public body should be the first to inculcate a good practice. When funds are available other municipal buildings will too sport these energy saving devices," said deputy municipal commissioner S K Langa.

In fact, GEDA in the last few years have installed hybrid systems across 18 state buildings, including the collector's office in Gandhinagar. The Udyog Bhavan, for instance, draws its basic power requirements from a hybrid system of wind and solar energy sources for the last few years. The air conditioners in this building run on conventional power.

Nearly, 13 blocks in the new secretariat and DDO and chief electrical inspector's offices have 10-kilowatt power plant each. If a photovoltaic plant works alone, the cost of delivered electricity works out to be Rs 15 to 20 per kilowatt hour. What GEDA is looking at now is to popularize this medium in commercial centres of any city where its benefits can be felt.