Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI) is working on solutions that will power up remotely located primary healthcare centres and schools starved of reliable power supply. The company has applied for a licence for power trading.

SECI is a nodal agency to implement solar photovoltaic (PV) grid connected and off-grid solutions under the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Using solar PV units, it plans to provide healthcare centres with power connection, back-up supply to support critical requirements and possibly hot water using solar heating systems, according to Rajendra Nimje, Managing Director of SECI.

“Incorporated to serve as an executive arm of MNRE, our focus is on facilitating solutions that help power deficit locations. As a part of this initiative, we are in the process of developing solutions that will help light up these PHCs and schools,” Nimje told Business Line.

Referring to the new round of bidding, where 750 MW capacity has been offered, he said half of it is being divided to boost up the domestic sector. The idea is to use the abundant space on rooftops in a remote village hutment, on top of a commercial mall or a public place such as railway or bus station for solar units.

Rajasthan PROJECT

Nimje said the Government has initiated a process to set up a 4,000 MW ultra mega green solar power project in Rajasthan through a joint venture.

The Department of Heavy Industry has started work on a site owned by Sambhar Salts Ltd, a subsidiary of Hindustan Salts. The first phase of the project will be implemented through a venture comprising BHEL, SECI, Power Grid Corporation, Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam and Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Ltd.

> rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in