OREANDA-NEWS. July 31, 2012. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has successfully commissioned a 5 MW eco-friendly Grid-Connected Solar Power Plant in Karnataka. Notably, this is the single largest Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Plant in Karnataka

Located at Shivanasamudram near Mandya in Karnataka, the plant has been set up by BHEL for Karnataka Power Corporation Limited KPCL).

Significantly, the company had set a new record in its Solar PV business in a single year, by commissioning 15 MW of Solar Power Plants in various parts of the country during fiscal 2011-12, marking a significant contribution to the nation’s Green Initiatives.

For the Shivanasamudram project, BHEL’s scope of work included design, manufacture, supply, erection and commissioning of the Solar Power Plant. In addition, BHEL will also operate and maintain the solar power plant for a period of 3 years.

The Solar Power Plant is operating satisfactorily since synchronizing with the main grid and DC power generated by the solar panels is converted into AC by inverters and fed into a 66 kV grid through transformers.

Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic (C-SI PV) technology has been used for this solar power plant which is well proven and has the longest operational experience across the world. The power plant consists of arrays of photovoltaic panels made of crystalline silicon solar cells that absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity that will be fed into the main grid.

Backed by a vast experience and expertise of nearly three decades in Power Electronics & System integration, BHEL is a leading player in the field of solar photovoltaics, from Solar Cells to System Integration of SPV power plants in India. The SPV modules are manufactured at its ultra-modern manufacturing facility located at Bangalore. The operations in semi-conductors and solar photovoltaics are supported by an R&D unit, located in Gurgaon.

In line with the rapid growth in this field, BHEL is planning to augment its manufacturing facility for Solar PV Modules during the current fiscal. The company’s PV modules are certified to international standards by accredited agencies.

Starting from small applications like Solar Powered Street Lighting, Rural Water Pumping Systems, Railway Signaling, Offshore Drilling Platforms, etc., BHEL has supplied and commissioned large size Stand-alone as well as Grid-Interactive Solar Power Plants in a number of major cities and remote areas of the country. The company’s SPV plants have enabled the people of Lakshadweep, Sagar Islands of West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, tribal areas of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand etc., to vastly improve their quality of life.