Solar panels come as boon to major temples

(Representative image)
The solar panels set up at a number of temples by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, about a couple of years ago, have reduced the power consumption bills.

These units were put up in major temples, including Rockfort Sri Thayumannaswamy Temple, Sri Subramanya Temple in Kumara Vayalur, Sri Mathurakali Amman Temple in Siruvachur near Perambalur and Srirangam Sri Ranaganathaswamy Temple. The capacity of each unit varied between 5 kv to 20 kv depending on the need of the temple and the budgetary support available with each of them.

Official sources told The Hindu that the units have come as a boon to them. Apart from ensuring quality power, the solar units have brought down the power consumption bill. At Sri Subramanya temple in Kumara Vayalur where a 5 kv capacity unit has been set up, the bi-monthly power consumption bill has come down by ₹5,000.

The largest beneficiary was Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy temple where a 20 kv unit has been set up. Sources said that the bi-monthly power bill has come down from ₹1 lakh to₹ 60,000.

Officials said that the investment on solar unit had proved its worth in the last couple of years. “The expenditure on power has been brought down to a great extent and we are able to get back the investment made for the solar energy through this economy,” an official said.

The solar energy is being utilised only between 9 a.m to 5.30 p.m. None of the temples opted for back-up facility. “But, it means an additional expenditure which is nearly equal to the solar panel itself,” says an official.

Source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/solar-panels-come-as-boon-to-temples/article18162070.ece