Gujarat's canal-top solar power plant: 10 must-know facts

10 Apr 2013, 11:49 AM IST

1 / 11 Gujarat's canal-top solar power plant: 10 must-know facts Text: Agencies



Did you know that the 'world's first' canal-top 1 MW solar project on Narmada branch canal network in Gujarat was commissioned within 1,000 days of conception?



Here is a look at ten facts about Gujarat's key solar project and how the initiative is meeting energy requirements of the state:

2 / 11 1.6 million units of electricity per year The power plant which is located at Chandrasan village near Mehsana, 45 kms from Ahmedabad will generate 1.6 million units of electricity per year.

3 / 11 Prevents evaporation of water The fact that the panels are built over the canal is meant to ensure that around 9 million litres of water does not evaporate.

4 / 11 Set up at Rs 17.50 crore cost The solar plant has been set up at the cost of around Rs 17.50 crore by the US-based Sun Edison.

5 / 11 Production of clean energy The entire length of SSNL canal network in Gujarat is around 19,000 kilometres. According to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, "Even if 10 per cent of it is used for this type of projects it could generate 2,400 MW of clean energy annually."

6 / 11 Eliminates need of land for solar projects The project will eliminate the need of 11,000 acres of land required for a solar project of this magnitude and save 2 billion litres of water annually, officials have said.

7 / 11 Helps reduce carbon emissions Modi believes that Gujarat's solar power initiatives would help save Rs 6,500 crore over the next 25 years, besides reducing carbon emissions to the tune of 8 lakh tonnes.

8 / 11 Made on 750-metre stretch of Sanand branch canal The plant has been made on a 750-metre stretch of the Sanand branch canal of the Sardar Sarovar Project.

9 / 11 More power According to Modi, the solar panels produced 15 per cent extra power as compared to land installations as the water flowing under the panels keeps them relatively cool.

10 / 11 Reduced cost of energy Modi has termed this pilot project to be an innovative merger of "jal and urja shakti" for a greener tomorrow.



"This initiative of Gujarat on Narmada branch canal network has the potential to bring down per unit cost of clean energy from solar panels to between Rs 8 to Rs 8.50 in future," Modi has said.