Mangaluru: In a bid to declare Dakshina Kannada a solar equipped district, MLC Ivan D’Souza urged the public to employ solar roofing at homes and organizations.
Addressing a press meet at his office on Tuesday, December 1, the MLC said that he has called for a meeting cum workshop with Lead bank and SCDCC on December 5 in the presence of District In-Charge Minister B Ramanath Rai and Deputy Commissioner AB Ibrahim. The intention of the meeting is to persuade banks to introduce a loan scheme dedicated to installing solar panels.
The scheme is designed to be on lines similar to home and vehicle loans.
“The solar panel needs to be a minimum of 1000 kilo watts and can go up to any capacity depending on the usage required. Once installed, it requires zero maintenance,” Ivan said asserting that as the panel operates using light and not humidity, one does not bother about its functioning in the rainy season.
Ivan said that the Speaker at the recently held Assembly during winter session was so impressed with his idea that a decision was instantly taken to install solar panel to both Vidhana Soudha and Vikas Soudha. He said that a 20 kilo watt solar panel will be installed in the DC office building as well.
MESCOM remunerates for extra power generation
Ivan, who was the first person in the city to install solar roofing, said that his residence consumed 400 units of power in the last 10 days, but produced 453 units due to the installation of solar roofing and hence, the MESCOM has paid him Rs 241 for generating extra power.
Ivan said that as the conditions for employing solar roofing in the district are perfect, he intends to introduce this facility as a pilot project here. He said that he would ensure that the government sanctions maximum funds towards providing subsidy and other benefits to users.
