DJB looking at using solar power to run installations

NEW DELHI, Aug 2: In a bid to reduce expenditure on electricity bill, Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is looking at solar energy as an alternate source of power for running its installations. The Board has proposed to install Grid Connected Roof-top Solar PV system at its different installations and use the generated electricity for running them. "A solar photovoltaic (PV) system is a power system designed to supply usable solar power by means of photovoltaics. It consists of a parallel arrangement of solar panels to absorb and convert the sunlight into electricity. "The proposed capacity of the Solar PV on the rooftops of available areas at various installations of the water sector of DJB is 16,000 Kilowatts peak. It is estimated to generate 2.1 crore units annually which will eventually lead to an annual saving of Rs. 3 crore on DJB's budget," said DJB in a statement. The project comprises of three stages. The phase-I includes the installation of grid connecting rooftop Solar PV at the Haiderpur Water Treatment Plant (WTP), Sonia Vihar WTP, Bhagirathi WTP, Bawana WTP, Iradat Nagar Raw Water Pump House (RWPH), Bawana RWPH and RWPH at Yamuna for Bhagirathi, Sonia Vihar WTP and various Booster Pumping Stations. The phase-II of the implementation of Grid Connected Roof top Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) system includes 25 years of comprehensive operation and maintenance at various Sewage Treatment Plants and Booster Pumping Stations. In phase-III, the project will be extended to include the installation of the grid connected rooftop solar PV system at various unused open land of Sonia Vihar WTP, Iradat Nagar Raw Water Pump House and Dwarka WTP and other vacant lands of DJB. Comprehensive operation and maintenance for 25 years will also be part of the project. "There are innumerable benefits of using solar energy. The foremost benefit is that the creation of solar energy requires little maintenance. Once the photovoltaic panels have been installed and are working at maximum efficiency there is only a small amount of maintenance required each year to ensure that the solar panels are in working order. "Since they convert sunlight into usable electricity, it does not even contribute to the increasing level of pollution," a senior DJB official said.