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Seminar deliberates on use of solar energy

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Dec 20 - The Senior Engineers� Forum-Guwahati (NER) , in order to create an awareness for utilising solar energy organised a seminar recently on solar energy which is an option for cheap power, an alternative to conventional energy to meet power deficiency in India�s North-East even though the NE region is the powerhouse of India. North-Eastern Council sponsored the programme, which was held in the NEDFi premises, Ganeshguri, said a press release here.

PK Dutta IAS (retired), former chairman ASEB and former Chief Secretary, Assam inaugurated the seminar as the chief guest. In his inaugural address, he said that many changes in technology have taken place in the power sector. He appreciated the efforts of the forum and stressed that elderly engineers should train the young engineers in taking up development works earnestly.

Dr Amarjyoti Choudhury, Vice-Chancellor of Assam Down Town University, graced the event as the guest of honour. He lauded the efforts of the forum for conducting a seminar on this important area of harnessing solar energy. He wished that this non-conventional energy, a free gift of nature, should be given to villagers where grid is not necessary.

Subhas Chandra Das, a former Chairman of the ASEB and former Additional Chief Secretary, Assam and member, AERC, gave an account of the power scenario in Assam and dwelt on the broad policy envisaged. He said that coverage of solar power in Assam is not very significant. But installation of solar power plant is in the pipeline.

Earlier, KG Deb Krori, Chairman, Technical Committee accorded a warm welcome to the dignitaries and participants and informed that experts will deliberate on solar power, indicating the disadvantages in generation of solar power by installing power panels as radiation of sun is not uniform during non-rainy days in North-East.

Nilamani Barua, an eminent power engineer of the region, delivered the keynote address. He highlighted the utilisation of solar power as the other source of power since fossil fuel is depleting at a fast pace and hydel power takes a lot of time for installation. He gave a detailed account of the utilisation of solar power in different nations of the world since it is environment-friendly. He said the cost of installation which was very high earlier has come down drastically due to technological improvement.

In the technical session, PC Sarma, an eminent power engineer working for a long time in the solar power sector, described the advantages and disadvantages of solar power.

Bhaskar Kakaty, an entrepreneur in solar power described broadly the installation of solar power plants in different parts of the region.

Ankur Barthakur, another entrepreneur gave a detailed account of various types of non-conventional energy in use in the North-east and specifically shared his experience of installation of solar plants, particularly in IIT Guwahati and NIT Agartala.

The meeting was presided over by ANNI Laskar, who fervently appealed to all to avail the subsidy of 70 per cent given by the government which may not be available at a later stage. The president appealed to the solar power installation agencies to motivate the consumers to avail the offer of subsidy in solar power so that harnessing of solar power at roof top may be done. The function was anchored by Parag Phukan and vote of thanks was offered by Niranjan Kakati, secretary of the forum.

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