Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada district administration in association with NABARD, various banks and Mescom organised a mega solar credit camp at the Town Hall here on Wednesday, February 17.

The Lead Bank manager Raghav Yejamanya and deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim inaugurated the event.

Speaking after inaguration, Raghav Yejamanya said, “8 nationalized banks, 2 are private, one cooperative and one regional bank have participated in this camp, It is a great opportunity to all the banks to be part of this project. As many as 15 suppliers are showcasing their products”.The Mescom department will provide the feasibility certificate for the installation. The loan application will be processed by the bank, he said.

The banks are lending loans for the implementing a ‘grid-connected rooftop and small solar power plants programme’ to encourage installation of rooftop systems for solar power generation.

“The State Government has in its policy provided for net metering arrangement and has provided relatively high rates for buy back for power at Rs 9.56 (without subsidy) and Rs 7.20 (with subsidy). Once the owner of the house gets feasibility certificate from Mescom to install rooftop solar power plant, the banks will assess the financial aspect and will lend loan within two days. The installation process will be completed within 11 days of filing applications,” he informed.

MLC Ivan D’souza promised to urge Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to announce a special fund in the budget to make Dakshina Kannada a solar-powered district. The State government should take up a pilot project to make the district self-sufficient in energy consumption by tapping solar energy, he added.

The 10 KW-capacity roof-top solar generation unit installed in my residence at Valencia at a cost of Rs 7.5 lakh – is generating 1,381 unit of electricity per month. “The consumption of electricity is 740 unit month. After deducting the consumption, the Mescom has credited Rs 7,000 per month to my account,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim expressing his appreciation for a project of this stature said, “Installing solar rooftop is a very good proposition as the district has very high potential to produce solar power. On the other hand, one can contribute towards the environment by using green energy. It can also be taken as a business investment as the excess energy produced can be sold to Mescom at Rs 9.56 a unit”.

M Nanjappa, Executive Engineer of MESCOM and other Bank officials were present.