Jaipur Metro has brought the idea of rooftop solar panel set ups at 8 elevated stations between the corridor of 9.25 km stretched between Mansarover and Chandpole. The 2nd year of operations has brought the mission of going green for Jaipur Metro.
All the day to day needs of the stations will be met by 2,500-kwp power generated by Rooftop solar powerplant. With this, the dependency on non-renewable sources will be reduced. This plant will be biggest of its kind in a government building.
The JMRC director of operations, C S Jeengar said, ” For all Metro operations, approximately 11 lakh units are required . The plant will produce 2.5 lakh units which will meet all the requirement of the stations in day time”.
Earlier a rooftop solar plant of 1000 kwp capacity was proposed but now a higher capacity solar plant has been proposed.
A firm will be chosen and finalised by Solar Energy Corporation of India. The firm will sign a power purchase agreement with JMRC. The firm will not only be given the contract for installing the solar panels but also will maintain them for coming 25 years. Jeengar mentioned that, ” The JMRC has requested the Centre to install 2,500-kwp ‘Rooftop Solar Power Plant’ under its scheme. We have received the approval and work for installation is expected to next year”.
The expected expenditure cost of the plant is likely to reach till Rs. 16 crores. The cost will be carried by the appointed firm. Also, the plant set up will be done under Renewable Energy Service Company model.
In their words, “The JMRC will purchase electricity for Rs 5.37 per unit for next 25 years. At present, the electricity consumption of one Metro station is approximately 1,200 units per day. The rooftop solar panels will generate electricity to cater all the requirement during day time”.
By the year 2022, a solar power plant of on lakh megawatt will be set up, approved by central government.
Rajasthan is one of the first state to release net metering or two-directional energy meter policy.
