For some time, the lockdown during the COVID-19 also stopped the work but as soon as restrictions were lifted work started again. The company’s team of engineers worked late hours to ultimately completed the energization of the ground mounted solar power plant in presence of officials of SJVN Ltd. and supplied the power to the 22kV grid. This evacuation of solar PV power to the high voltage 22kV grid is a daunting task, a first in CEL’s installation history and a feather in the cap of CEL: Bholanath Sarkar,CMD, Central Electronics Limited

By Dr. Sonali Mishra

Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, July 12, 2020: Shri Bholanath Sarkar, Chairman and Managing Director of Central Electronics Limited has appreciated the dedication and the efforts of CEL’s engineers and officers in achieving the energization of the 1 MW (AC) Solar Power Plant during the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

Referring to a recent milestone achieved a by Central Electronics Limited, a govt. PSU under Ministry of Science & Technology, by energizing 1MW (AC) Solar Power Plant at remote Wadhal village in Shimla District of Himachal Pradesh.

Mr. Sarkar said, “Due to COVID-19 situation, it was not an easy task to complete this project. Also they work in the adverse weather conditions. The engineers braved high speed chilling winds during the winter. Snowfall and heavy rains also hampered the progress of work.”

“For some time, the lockdown during the COVID-19 also stopped the work but as soon as restrictions were lifted work started again. The company’s team of engineers worked late hours to ultimately completed the energization of the ground mounted solar power plant in presence of officials of SJVN Ltd. and supplied the power to the 22kV grid. This evacuation of solar PV power to the high voltage 22kV grid is a daunting task, a first in CEL’s installation history and a feather in the cap of CEL,” Mr. Sarkar said. 

Manoj Sharma PRO, CEL said that the work at this location has been a challenge right from the beginning of the project. The plant site is located 3km down from Naini on the NH-5 on tabular land in a valley just above the river Satluj. Transportation of manpower and material was quite challenging due to serpentine rough road, harsh weather conditions and frequent road blockages on NH-5 and nearby roads due to landslides, road expansion works and other reasons.

The company has received an order for design, engineering, supply, installation, commissioning and O&M for 5 years for 1MW (AC) Solar Power Plant from SJVN Limited, a Mini Ratna & Schedule 'A' CPSU under the Ministry of Power, Govt. of India, is a joint venture between the Govt. of India & Govt. of Himachal Pradesh.

Central Electronics Limited, a Govt. of India Enterprise under Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology, was established in 1974 with an objective to commercially exploit the indigenous technologies developed by National Laboratories and R&D Institutions in the country.

CEL has pioneered Solar Photovoltaic in the country. After manufacturing India’s First solar cell in 1977 CEL went on to manufacture the country’s first solar panel in 1978. CEL holds the distinction of supplying, installing and commissioning India’s first solar power plant in 1992.

CEL has done solar power plant installation works in many treacherous Himalayan regions including Leh and Ladakh in the past and its engineers are highly qualified and experienced in the solar PV installations. 

Images - 1MW (AC) Solar Power Plant at remote Wadhal village in Shimla District of Himachal Pradesh energised by Central Electronics Limited. Courtesy - CEL