Agartala, Feb 27 (NationPress) The Minister of State (MoS) for Power and New and Renewable Energy, Shripad Y. Naik, officially launched a 15-kilowatt grid-connected rooftop solar power plant at the office of the District Magistrate in Gomati, Agartala, on Friday. This event signifies the commencement of the state's ambitious plan to solarise all district administrative headquarters.

This initiative marks a significant expansion of the Tripura government's commitment to renewable energy, extending its focus from residential rooftops to public institutions, with plans to convert all eight District Magistrate (DM) offices to solar-powered energy.

The project aligns with the directives of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy under the “Solar Sankalp” initiative.

Implementation of this project has been assigned to the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL), the state's primary power utility.

During his speech, MoS Naik emphasized that solar energy is set to become a foundational element of India's future energy framework.

He highlighted that incorporating government offices into the solar energy network goes beyond merely lowering electricity costs; it represents a shift towards environmentally sustainable governance.

According to MoS Naik, Tripura's endeavor is a pivotal move in realizing the Union government's renewable energy vision at the grassroots level.

Gomati serves as the first district in the state to have this project operational.

TSECL officials reported that rooftop solar systems with a total capacity of 304 kilowatts will be installed across eight district magistrate offices in Tripura, with an investment of approximately Rs 2.43 crore.

In addition to the 15-kilowatt setup in Gomati, solar plants with capacities of 49 kilowatts in Sepahijala, 35 kilowatts in South Tripura, 90 kilowatts in North Tripura, 15 kilowatts in Khowai, 22 kilowatts in Unakoti, 25 kilowatts in Dhalai, and 53 kilowatts in West Tripura are also planned.

Once these systems are operational, they are projected to fulfill a significant portion of each office's energy demands using clean, renewable power.

Tripura's Power Minister, Ratan Lal Nath, hailed this initiative as a progressive move in the state's energy strategy.

Expressing gratitude to MoS Shripad Naik for launching the project, Minister Nath described it as a prime example of effective collaboration between the central and state governments.

He remarked that empowering government offices to produce their own electricity would lead to substantial savings on power costs while promoting environmental conservation.

This initiative reflects the state's dedication to long-term energy sustainability and fiscal responsibility.

Encouraging public participation, Minister Nath invited citizens to take advantage of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY) by installing rooftop solar panels in their residences.

Through net metering, households can significantly lower their electricity expenses and even gain revenue by selling excess power back to the grid.

Minister Nath noted that rooftops have the potential to evolve into micro power stations within the burgeoning clean energy economy.

The grid-connected rooftop solar model allows for on-site consumption of electricity generated during the daytime, thereby lessening dependence on traditional power sources.

Any excess production will be redirected to the grid, ensuring cost savings, optimal energy utilization, and a marked decrease in carbon emissions.

Energy experts consider the solarization of government buildings as a pragmatic approach toward energy self-reliance, showcasing how public infrastructure can lead the way in adopting clean energy solutions.

By transforming unused rooftop spaces into valuable energy assets, Tripura communicates that renewable energy is not just an alternative; it is the cornerstone of the future energy economy.

The inauguration event held in Udaipur, Gomati district, was attended by Gomati District Magistrate Rinku Lather, TSECL's Additional General Manager (Gomati) Nandita Das, and Sanjeeb Nandy Majumdar, the state’s nodal officer for the PMSGMBY, along with engineers and senior officials involved in the project.