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SOLARAWARDS2011 SHOR TLISTED


Project Development Award


KPCL


Successful installation of 3MW solar PV plants in Karnataka state.


KPCL has successfully installed 3MW solar PV plants at Kolar, Belgaum and Raichur districts of Karnataka state. These projects are first of its kind in India. The specialty of these plants are that they are grid connected and have been proven to be a success. The plants are set up in rural area near load centres.


The power generated is evacuated through a 11KV line to nearby 33KV MUSS at village Kerur and supplied through feeder lines to the local villages and the local people are making use of this power for running IP sets and other agricultural activities.


Challenge i) Establishment of solar plant at a MW scale involves huge investment in the beginning for setting up the plant. KPCL has invested approximately Rs 165 crores for setting up the three plants through internal financing.


ii) Large area of 15 acres at one place is required for installation of 3MW Solar plant. KPCL has taken Govt land for this purpose through revenue department. As all the three sites were covered by huge trees, clearing of trees was a big challenge. However with support of forest department and Govt of Karnataka, the land as free from vegetation and ensured shadow free area for setting up the plant.


iii) Selection of suitable location with nearby 11KV MUSS -KPCL selected these above sites on the basis of the I P set loads connected to the nearest MUSS.KPCL identified a load nearly 3MW(200A) on the connecting MUSS with the support of ESCOM and locals.


iv) Preparation of technical document, finalization of EPC contractor, out of 15 tenderers ,obtaining necessary approvals from electrical inspectorate, ESCOM’s,


liaising with various agencies ,EPC contractor etc.


v) Local people in these areas were appraised of the upcoming projects and their purpose of supplying power to the villages. Power generated from a solar PV plant id DC power which in order to be connected to the grids has to be converted to AC power. Connecting this AC power to the grid was biggest challenge in terms of technology and high capacity inverter. For the first time in the country, 250KW inverters have been used to convert DC power to AC power. A dedicated 11KV had to be constructed for efficient usage of power.


vi) Electrical equipment’s such as transformers, HT,LT panels were procured from reputed companies and installed for power evacuation which is first of its kind in the country.


vii) SCADA: This plant is provided with a SCADA facility which is connected through an internet to a website via satellite ,since there was no underground cable connection to the plant. However with persuasion with BSNL OFC cable was laid up to the plant from the nearest place and SCADA was made online.


Problem Solved


a) In the present situation when the fossil fuels are depleting, solar and other renewable energies are the best alternative. This plant is producing daily 15000-18000 unit’s energy which is connected to local villages. Since the load centre is very close to the plant there is no transmission loss of energy. The power is consumed within a radius of 15 kms from the plant.


The village people are able to switch on their pump sets during day time without power interruption. KPCL has also conducted an awareness camp for the local farmers, women and children on the best utilization of solar power. These people also are educated as how to reduce the power consumption by using CFL instead of incandescent bulbs. b) About 15 villages in Kolar district and 25 villages in Belgaum districts are powered by these solar plants.


Noteworthy A) The technology used here is PV crystalline which is adopted for the first time in India, for a MW size plant..


34 www.solar-pv-management.com I Issue VIII 2011


B) The power is evacuated through 11KV line which is connected to 33KV substation,a unique feature.


C) SPV plant works at unity pf. The system voltage and power factor have improved in the substation. D) This project supplies power mainly to famers during day time which is helpful for irrigation and agricultural activities. E) The plant generates more than 4mu per annum. F) 15 acres of waste land is used for installing the plant. G) Plant is located near the load centre, thereby avoiding transmission loss. h) This plant is provided with a SCADA facility which is connected to a website via satellite. i) CDM:KPCL is availing carbon credits through CDM process for the energy generated from the solar plan in order to make this plant financially viable. j) Speedy execution: The project was connected to grid in a record period of 6 months.


Innovation


KPCL has installed 6000MW of power plants consisting of 3500MW of Thermal and 2500MW of hydro plants. Most of the power generated in Karnataka comes from conventional power plants such as hydro and cola based thermal power plants. Solar power plants of 3MW scale in three districts of Karnataka is a new concept for the first time adopted in the country and has proved successful in catering power to the villages.


This power generation from each solar plant reduces emission of CO2 to the extent of 4500 metric tonnes per annum. This plant a green energy base plant and contributes to large extent for reducing global emissions.


This plant is based on solar photovoltaic technology and makes use of solar radiation for converting to electricity which is a departure from the conventional method of power generation ( hydro and thermal). Semiconductor material based on silicon which are in the form of cells and modules are used for solar panels to produce electricity.


This technology is new in our country even though it is common among European countries. The size of 3MWs, grid connection at 11KV and Dc to AC conversion at MW scale are big achievements of this plant.


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