10 kW PV mini-grids for Indian villages

Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Ltd. (REIL) has won a contract to install 10 kW PV mini-grids in 27 villages in the Indian state of Rajasthan.     

REIL, a joint venture between the national and state governments, was awarded the 110 million INR ($2.4 million) deal by the state nodal agency Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corp. (RREC) on Feb. 11. Vishnu Mathur of the electronic firm's PV division says the mini-grids should be on line by September. 

Each of the grids will serve about 50 households, providing connection points for two lamps, a fan, and a television. Residents will pay a monthly fee of 100 INR ($2.31), to be collected by a village-level coordination committee. REIL will provide maintenance and service for 10 years. The villages, selected by RREC, are spread across seven of Rajasthan's 15 districts. The northern desert state borders Pakistan and the disputed state of Kashmir.

While Mathur says more tenders for bids are expected in the state, RREC did not respond to a request for details.

William P. Hirshman
© PHOTON International, April 2004