Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), a unit of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) in Chhattisgarh, is setting up a 200-Kw elevated solar power plant at Maitri Bagh Zoo, which is managed by the company. The project, a collaboration between BSP and the Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Agency (Creda), marks the state’s first elevated solar installation.
Elevated solar power systems involve mounting solar panels on structures above the ground or roof, offering dual functionality by utilizing the space underneath for additional purposes. In this case, the area beneath the solar panels will be used to grow fodder for zoo animals.
The solar plant, one of the tallest of its kind, has a front height of 3.5 meters, gradually rising to 5.5 meters. Designed to maintain stability, the structure weighs approximately 30 tonnes, making it one of the heaviest solar frameworks for a 200-Kw plant. It features advanced monocrystalline bifacial solar modules known for their high efficiency and space-saving design.
The plant will generate 24,000 units of electricity monthly and 288,000 units annually, reducing Maitri Bagh Zoo’s energy costs by Rs 200,000 per month. The electricity produced will supply the zoo and the nearby Jawahar Udyan.
Creda will maintain the solar power plant for five years after its installation and commissioning, which is already underway. The project not only promotes green energy production but also enhances the sustainability of Maitri Bagh Zoo and adjoining areas.
