Raj Bhavan has started using solar energy, and is also taking steps towards water conservation.
Hyderabad's Raj Bhavan has started using solar energy, and is also taking steps towards water conservation.
Officials told the media that it has been a year since the Raj Bhavan was lit up with solar energy. Besides, the water pits dug inside have increased the water table at the area, besides helping in the growth of vegetation, they said.
According to reports, solar energy is the main source of power in Raj Bhavan. The Governor's residence is also said to be the first and only government sector building in the state to adopt a renewable energy program by installing solar power packs to cater to the power needs up to 60% of lighting load requirements in the building.
A tour for a select group of media was conducted by the Raj Bhavan officials on Thursday.
"Raj Bhavan generates its own power, and has a surplus. This is a pioneering step in energy conservation, and in shifting to alternative modes of power generation and consumption," officials said.
"We had installed solar power packs of a total capacity of 41.05 units (KWp) in the various blocks way back in March 2012. The solar system has been functioning with full utility for the past one year," they said.
"The generating capacity of the solar system installed in the Raj Bhavan is 190 units per day. The average units of consumption per day are nearly 150 units, and this works out to 4,500 units per month. Considering the present tariff, it comes under the Rs. 7 (per unit) slab under the conventional energy system. But the dynamics of solar energy prove that the monthly saving works out to Rs. 33,750 per month, and a total annual saving of Rs. 4,05,000 per annum," officials added.
"This is an austerity measure and a saving to the exchequer," they stated.
The lighting load in the main house, Sudharma (administrative block), security block and the Sanjeevani building runs on solar power. Durbar Hall, which is a heritage building, has a weak roof, and is thus not fitted with solar systems.
Also, the occupancy rate of the guest houses does not prove to be economical for providing solar power packs.
Further street lighting in Raj Bhavan is being replaced with induction lights and solar lights, with green lighting systems.
A solar water heating system was also installed in the premises, and is being extended to all buildings in a phased manner.
The program was funded under a Special Area Demonstration Project (SADP) scheme, with the nodal agency being NECAP. An amount of Rs. 96 lakh was sanctioned in April 2011 for the initiative.
The project included the installation of solar power packs of a total capacity of 41.05 KWp, a solar water-heating system, and a biogas plant.
Raj Bhavan has also taken to water-harvesting. The structure being located at an elevated position, rain water would earlier drift towards the main road, inundating the rail track and the low-lying area further ahead. However, 10 water-harvesting pits were dug up at different locations of the sprawling Raj Bhavan, to arrest the flow of rain water.
These pits collect rain water, which is then diverted to the harvesting pits during the rainy season.
The drive has apparently led to an increase in the water table. (INN)