Amapara, near Ramakkalamedu, is set to become the first solar power-cum-wind power station in the state after the completion of the solar power park being set up by Enert. The first phase of the renewable solar power park was completed at a cost of Rs 12 crore.
In the first phase, 3,042 solar panels with a capacity of 325 watts have been installed to generate 1.3 million units of electricity across four acres.
In the next phase, wind farm units will be set up and in the third phase the work on power saving system will be completed.
Enert district engineer Nidhin Thomas said the indigenously developed grid-tie inverter facility would be used in the solar park, adding that it would be the first solar-cum-wind power park in the state.
The park will be open for engineering students to learn indigenously developed techniques, Mr Thomas says, adding that students from various colleges have already visited the park.
It will also help in boosting the tourism potential of Ramakkalamedu, which provides a panoramic view of a vast stretch of Tamil Nadu landscape. The project is part of a government initiative to use non-conventional energy energy sources that are non-polluting and environment-friendly. This is the largest solar power unit of Enert in the district.
Enert has 147 hectares in Ramakkalamedu and has immense potential for power generation from wind and solar energy.
A remote weather monitoring station attached to the Solar Park has already started functioning. It provides timely information on wind, rain and atmospheric pressure. Apart from providing weather information to the farmers, the data received from the center also helps in preparing disaster management plans.