DSERT to go solar in rural areas

BANGALORE: Rampant power shortage in the state has not affected industry alone. The education programmes initiated by the government have also been hit. The Department of State Educational and Research Training (DSERT) is now planning to replace generators and batteries with solar panels as an alternative source of energy for Phase-IV of the ICT@Schools project. Speaking to Express, DSERT Director H S Rama Rao said that a formal proposal for the use of solar panels would be sent to the Government of India around the month of May.  “Power shortage is indeed an obstacle while implementing computer and technology aided education. In Phase-IV, we plan to use solar panels as an alternative source to sustain the ICT programme,” he said. Plans of replacing generators and batteries with solar panels comes in the wake of day-time power cuts in rural areas, which affected the previous phases of the ICT@Schools project.  “In Phase-II, we had to use backup batteries, as there was no power during day time. Power would be supplied post sunset for domestic consumption only. We plan to adopt solar panels as Phase-IV will cover all the schools (in rural areas) that the current phase has not,” said Rama Rao. He added that the DSERT think-tank was presently chalking out a raoad map for the effective use of solar panels, and training of teaching staff. However, he clarified that the cost had not been worked out as yet. “I cannot say now if the use of solar panels would prove cost-effective.