Surat has reportedly become the first city in India to use solar energy for water supply management. Out of the total 6 MW of solar power plants Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) is using 4MW for water supply management reports TOI.
The 4MW solar energy is dedicated for Sarthana waterworks, Katargam waterworks, Rander waterworks, Varachha waterworks, Udhana water distribution station, Magob water distribution station and Simada water distribution station.
The publication citing sources notes that 5MW of solar power plant has been already installed and a 1MW solar power plant will be inaugurated by PM Modi. This will increase solar power plants’ capacity to 6MW in the city.
The total solar energy generation out of 4MW solar power plants meant for water supply is about 53 lakh units per annum.
“SMC is lone municipal corporation in the country where water supply management is dependent on solar energy. We are using 4MW of solar plants, exclusively for distribution of water in the city. This brings down our energy cost on water distribution significantly. The waterworks and water distribution stations require more energy for supply of water. We use solar energy to power our motors for water distribution and raw water collection,” said KH Khatwani, additional city engineer speaking to the publication.