Energy sector: Solar panels for primary schools in the works

Basic, rural health units to also get solar panels

LAHORE: The provincial government is planning to install solar panels at primary schools to provide uninterrupted power supply to them. This was announced at a meeting on Friday to review proposals regarding solar power solutions through the private sector.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over the meeting. He said the government was taking effective measures to overcome the energy crisis. He said they were working on a project to install solar panels at schools, and urged officials to expedite the process.

He told officials to create a business model for investors to install solar panels at basic and rural health centres. Sharif issued instructions regarding a pilot project to convert a tehsil headquarters hospital to solar energy.

The meeting is also considering a proposal to provide solar panels to low-income households at subsidised rates. The chief minister has asked for comprehensive recommendations regarding the solar-home solutions project. He also asked for a practicable project to convert tube-wells for agricultural use and water-supply schemes on solar energy.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2014.