When the nation is reeling under acute power crisis, Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation (KELTRON) makes big entry into Solar Power by manufacturing solar power inverters and power conditioners. The ‘Solar India’ concept of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission is being supported by Keltron also by implementing the solar projects in all jails. The project is implemented by the initiative of Kerala State Prison Department in setting up Solar Prisons in the state.
The first ever solar electrification project inside any jail in Kerala has been successfully implemented by Keltron, inside the Central Prison complex at Poojappura, Trivandrum. It took only four months by Keltron to commission the project. Nearly 229 KW of power will be generated by the project with a solar photovoltaic power plant which costs Rs. 7.9 Crore. All lighting inside the jail complex, lighting and fans of all cell blocks, steam cooking, chappathi making unit, water pumping unit, Superintendent Office and DGP Office will be powered by this solar energy. 1000 LPD solar thermal water heating system installed will supply hot water for bathing, boiled water for drinking and steam cooking system.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has approved the project implemented by Keltron and the 30% subsidy is also sanctioned.
Apart from the Central Prison complex- Trivandrum, the Kerala State Prison Department has entrusted the implementation of 665 KW Solar plants to Keltron for a total order value of 22 Crore. Based on the order, Solar Power plants will be further implemented in Central prison- Kannur, Central prison- Viyyur, Open prison- Nettukaltheri, Open prison annex-Thevamcode, District Jail-Trivandrum and Special sub jail – Trivandrum. All these projects are expected to be completed by February 2013.
In future all other expansion projects inside the jail, like making of bricks, cutting of stones etc also will be powered from solar energy, and the project will be implemented by Keltron. The power conditioning unit which is the major part of the system is developed by Keltron in technical tie-up with IIT Kharagpur is expected to be commissioned with in two months.
