Government-run schools in Hyderabad are set to benefit from solar energy, with plans in place to install solar power plants. A total of 5,267 schools, comprising 4,600 government and local body high schools, 475 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs), and 192 Model Schools, will be powered by solar energy.
Under the initiative, each select government and local body high school will have a 5-kilowatt capacity solar power plant, while KGBVs and Model Schools, being residential institutions with higher electricity consumption, will have a 10-kilowatt capacity plant. The School Education department has prepared a detailed project report estimating the cost at Rs 80,000 per kilowatt. The total cost of the project is expected to reach Rs 283 crore, and implementation is likely to be carried out by the Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation.
This latest initiative builds upon the successful implementation of solar power plants in 1,521 government and local body schools across 12 districts, as part of the ‘Mana Ooru – Mana Badi / Mana Basti Mana Badi’ program. These 2-kilowatt solar plants, established at a cost of Rs 32 crore, are currently generating 3,072 KW of power. Now, over 1,200 of these solar plants will be upgraded to a 5-kilowatt capacity.
The aim of installing solar power plants in government schools is to alleviate the burden of electricity bills. With the schools being provided with necessary infrastructure, such as computer labs, libraries, science labs, and electronic appliances, including digital interactive flat panels, there has been an increase in electricity consumption, leading to higher power bills. To mitigate this, the excess solar power generated during holidays will be transferred directly to the grid, and schools will receive payment based on the units transferred.
This move towards solar energy is a positive step for the government-run schools in Hyderabad, not only in terms of reducing electricity bills but also in promoting a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to education. By harnessing the power of the sun, these schools will become self-sufficient in their energy requirements, contributing to a greener future.
