Solar bridge over canals to bridge power gap in Punjab

He added that interestingly,a 21st century technology will come up on the 19th century canal network and the structure can survive for more than 100 years. Only the solar panels,whenever required,may be changed,he said.

Asserting that the project is based on the principle of food,water and energy security as no farmland is involved,P4P Business Strategist Robin Matthews said: “The genesis of our company is in meeting the food needs and not just providing solar energy. We want to involve the community and empower them,thereby creating more job opportunities. This city has immense talent. We have tied up with the Chandigarh College of Engineering,Landran,for providing engineering support.”

According to Conger,the project will not cost the state government anything but on the other hand,save five million gallons of water per megawatt every year from evaporation and also reduce salinity. “The solar panels will also lower fish mortality by shielding them from harsh sun rays. In fact,the canal space below the project can be used for fish farming,” he added. P4P will sell power to the central pool at the Central Energy Regulatory Commission rates.

The company’s business partner,Jessie Singh — who hails from Gurdaspur and is based in California — said that the 36mx200m project will come up on Sidhwan canal and will be completed by Diwali. Punjab will usher in the era of new energy the day Lord Ram returned from exile,Conger said.

Matthews maintained that the technology,which provides for a quick,easy and clean energy,can also be used for roads,farms and big drains. As for the security of the structure,which will be 20-ft high,cameras will be put up,said Singh.

There has been a yawning gap between the power demand and supply in the state and one of the answers to the problem was renewable energy. As the state has plains and no wind,hydro and wind power were not possible solutions. Only solar power could address the problem,but high land cost was keeping developers away.

T P S Sidhu,CEO of Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) — the nodal agency for green power — said the project that does not involve land can give solar power sector a boost. “We will first see the execution of the pilot project. Once it is a success,we can replicate it. But the company will have to keep in mind maintenance of the structure,as evaporation may effect the solar panels,” he added.