200 tech schools to go for green power

Minister directs tech institutes to generate 25KW solar power each
LUCKNOW: For the state ministry of technical education, Mission Go Green begins at home. In pursuance of chief minister’s target to achieve capacity to generate 500MW of solar power by 2017, state ministry of technical education has directed the around 200 institutions, colleges, universities and deemed universities that come under his purview across the state to install system to generate at least 25KW of solar power each.A GO to this effect is expected early this week.
“Institutions will be told to put in place a system for becoming self-reliant through generation of solar power and they can seek whatever technical guidance or support they need from the solar power authorities backed by the Central government,” said Fareed Mahfooz Kidwai, minister of state (independent charge) of technical education, adding that all centres of technical education will have to use only solar power for heating water.
The directives of the minister are in sync with the cal from all quarters to adopt methods that are environment friendly as the world awakens to threat of power generation through burning of fossil fuel and the benefits of solar power which is even cost-effective.
“I have also directed to replace all damaged bulbs and tube lights on technical education campuses with LED lights only,” said the minister.
There is also suggestion to reward all entities promoting use and generation of solar power.
“The initial cost of setting up the infrastructure may be high for the institutions but the long-term saving will make it feasible,” Prof M Z Khan, officer on special duty who is working out the modalities for the directive and its implementation. Head of the civil engineering department in the Institute of Engineering and Technology Luknow, Khan said, not even 20% of the 500MW target for solar power has been achieved in the state so far. “The minister decided to take forward the mission from the schools of technology and it will help achieve the 500MW target. There will shortly be a meeting of the heads of institutions of the state for a consensus on the issue.”