Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada district has been ranked second in the state in tapping solar energy with the help of solar panels mounted on rooftop, MLC Ivan D’Souza informed on Friday.

Bengaluru ranks first in tapping solar energy, D’Souza told reporters after a meeting that around 377 rooftop solar energy units had been installed in the district last year. These units are generating 5081.58 Kw energy.

In Mangaluru alone, 177 solar rooftop units had been installed and generated 1641 Kw energy.

Even under Smart city projects, there was a proposal to generate 1500 Kw energy through roof top solar panels, he said.

He recollected installing rooftop solar panels of 3 Kw each, in 50 schools of Dakshina Kannada district under MLC grant last year.

He informed that all the 50 solar units were functioning well. These schools after deducting energy consumed were also receiving an amount between Rs 1,050 to 1,200 from Mescom. He said the schools should use this money for improving infrastructure and sports facilities. The MLC observed that the surplus power could be generated from schools when they close for holidays during peak summer.

Ivan D’Souza said the solar panels come with a 25-year warranty and thus schools should not worry about maintaining the solar panels.

“I have spoken to Mangaluru Police Commissioner and SP to install solar panels in all the police stations in the district.

Even the department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj had taken a decision to install solar rooftop panels in all offices of gram panchayats in the state,” he added.

He had utilised MLC fund for lighting up the homes of 35 endosulfan victims houses in Perabe in Puttur taluk through solar energy. The houses generated enough energy to power two lights, one fan and a mobile charger.The MLC said that he had urged DK Zilla Panchayat and Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) to make roof top solar panels mandatory for houses with more than 2,000 square feet area.

The MCC should make roof top solar panels mandatory for commercial complexes while issuing license. Zilla Panchayat had been asked to convert all high mast streetlights into solar powered lamps.

“DK Deputy Commissioner should convene a meeting and discuss on promoting roof top solar panels in the district. Already, majority of the government buildings had installed roof top panels in Mangaluru.

The solar panels are ready for installation at Mangala Stadium,” he said.