Damodar Valley to replicate Gujarat's canal-top solar plant

       












In a rare compliment from a UPA Minister for the BJP government in Gujarat, New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah on Monday said the solar power plant atop a water canal in the state has shown the nation the way and it will be replicated by Damodar Valley Corporation.
         "Gujarat has shown the way" with the commissioning of the world's first 1 MW canal-top solar power plant in Mehsana district, he said during Question Hour in Rajya Sabha. The Gujarat project virtually eliminates the requirement to acquire vast tract of land and limits evaporation of water from the 750 meter long canal.
          Abdullah said DVC has over 2000 km of canal network on which it wants to mount solar panels that can generated up to 1,000 MW electricity.
          "States like Gujarat and Rajasthan have done commendable work in solar power," he said adding his ministry is eager to help states irrespective of which party was in power. His statement drew loud thumping of desks from Opposition benches with Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP) congratulating the minister for speaking frankly about the contribution made by states. "We want to help state governments. We don't discriminate ....Hum sab Hindustani hai...Hindustan bachega to hum bachenge (We all are Indians, if India survives, then only we will survive)," he said, adding, "We want to strengthen the nation."
         Abdullah also lauded Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for the vast network of renewable energy sources including solar and wind power set up in the state.
         He said over 979 MW of solar power capacity has been set up in the country, of which 654.8 MW is in Gujarat, 197.5 MW in Rajasthan and 20 MW in Maharashtra. The tariff has come down from Rs 18 per unit to about Rs 7 a unit, he said adding it will further come down when the second phase of projects come up.

Narendra Modi switches on Asia's largest solar field in Gujarat

In a quantum leap in the field of solar power generation, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi dedicated 600 MW solar power projects to the nation on Thursday.

The projects include solar power plants at Asia's largest solar park at Charnka village, as well as solar units at 10 other places in Gujarat. Charnka's 'Gujarat Solar Park', which is spread across 3,000 acres, has already attracted investments from close to 21 national and international companies. The 500 MW solar park has become functional in a record time of just one year.

The programme was attended by US Consul General Peter Hesh and officials from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Speaking on the occasion, Modi said that at a time when the entire world is engulfed by problems relating to climate change, it is Gujarat's dream to demonstrate an example of climate justice.

"This achievement is not merely a step in the direction of power conservation... it provides the world with a vision that how the power needs of the future generations can be solved in an environment-friendly manner," the Chief Minister said.

Taking a dig at the Union government, Modi claimed that Gujarat was ready with its solar energy policy, while the Central government was still mulling the nation's solar policy at a basic level.

"Due to the efforts made by the Gujarat government, the cost of solar power has come down to Rs. 8.50 per unit from Rs.15 per unit," he claimed, adding that the cost will go down further to Rs.4 per unit in the future once the supply of solar power increases.

Speaking about the state's future plans in the solar sector, the Chief Minister said the government has envisioned a roof-top solar power policy. This will enable the common man to generate solar power by putting solar panels on the roof of his house and sell the power to the state government.

Significantly, US Consul General Peter Hesh in his address during the inauguration said that the developed nations are also eager to invest and partner Gujarat in various fields, including solar energy, which is a proof of Gujarat's global recognition.

First of its kind: Gujarat’s dream solar project

       A project that has the potential of generating 2,200 MW electricity from solar panels, give clean, pollution-free energy, save 11,000 acres of land and also prevent water in irrigational canals from evaporating, does indeed sound like a DREAM project. But if the new canal-top project in Narmada is to be followed, that dream might become Gujarat’s reality.
         The world’s first canal-top project on Sanand branch canal of the Sardar Sarovar Nigam Ltd generating one-MW electricity from solar panels atop the Narmada branch canal was inaugurated by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.

           Modi termed the project as “jal and urja shakti” for a greener tomorrow, which virtually eliminates the need to acquire huge tracts of land, as is typically needed in setting up such plants.
           The 19,000-km-long Narmada canal network in Gujarat is a potential powerhouse and it is estimated that even if 10 percent of the canal top is used for setting up solar panels, it could help generate 2,200 MW of power, save large acres of land and prevent Rs 2,000 crore of precious water from evaporation annually.
Gujarat’s solar power initiative could help the nation save Rs 500 crore over the next 25 years, besides reducing carbon emissions to the tune of 8 lakh tones.
           The project was commissioned within 1,000 days of conception. The trial run of the plant shows that canal-top solar power equipment produces 15 percent extra power as compared to land installations as the water flowing under the panels keeps them relatively cooler.
           Drawing parallels between solar and coal-based power generation, Modi told the media at the inauguration that 600 MW of solar power dedicated to the nation by Gujarat recently, would otherwise have required 7.5 lakh tonnes of coal, plus freight cost, working to Rs 250 crore annually. The project was executed by Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Ltd (GSECL) as the government could find no developer to take up the challenge at that time, he said.
          The project may very well become a path-breaking prototype for the power and water crisis that India faces.

Preparations in full swing for opening of ‘Gujarat Solar Park’

          600 MW of Solar Power Projects will be dedicated to the nation at a ceremony to be held at the India’s first Solar Park at Charanka village, Randhanpur taluka, Patan district in Gujarat on 19th April, 2012 by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. Solar Power Project developed at Anand, Banaskantha, Jamnangar, Junagadh, Kutch, Porbandar, Rajkot, Surat, and Surendranagar will also be dedicated on during this occasion. The Ceremony will be attended by the large community of International Delegates including representatives from Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Hongkong, Singapore UK and United State of America will attend this ceremony.
       
          ‘Gujarat Solar Park’ has an aggregated capacity of 214 MW Solar Projects commissioned at a single location. ‘Gujarat Solar Park’ is an innovative concept of Government of Gujarat to promote solar installations within the state for with ease of operation. The State Government has allocated developed land to the Project Developers with the entire infrastructure including power evacuation, roads and water for commissioning of the Power Project on fast track.
       
          The State signed 968.5 MW of solar power projects under its Solar Power Policy and also took an initiative to launch ‘Gujarat Solar Park’ with a vision to build it as the world’s largest solar power park. The foundation stone of the Solar Park was laid in December, 2010.

           “This 600 MW Solar Power Project Dedication Ceremony will be followed by the India Solar Investment and Technology Summit and Exhibition to be held at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar on 20 and 21 April, 2012. The Summit will have large number of Indian and Foreign Speakers and Delegates” stated Mr. D J Pandian, Principal Secretary, Energy & Petrochemicals Dept, Govt. of Gujarat.

           The Summit will have sessions and discussions on global solar market, investment opportunities in India, financing of solar industry, use of technology, infrastructure and innovation for successful projects, potential for solar R&D and technology development, and the future of Indian solar sector. The Programme for the Solar Investment and Technology Summit and Exhibition is enclosed.