SHILLONG : Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday inaugurated a 50 KW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Plant at St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Shillong.
Implemented through the Chief Minister’s Solar Mission, this marks another significant milestone toward the utilization of renewable energy and sustainable development in the State.
The project was executed by the Meghalaya New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (MNREDA) and stands as one of the largest solar installations in an educational institution in Meghalaya.
The 50 KW system, valued at approximately ₹50 lakh, is equipped with battery backup and is expected to significantly meet the school’s energy requirements through clean and renewable power.
Speaking at the gathering, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma emphasized the importance of renewable energy in combating climate change and ensuring a sustainable future for Meghalaya.
“Renewable energy is no longer just an idea—it is the need of the hour,” he said, pointing out that the growing impacts of climate change on nature, the economy, and daily life have compelled the Government and society to seek clean energy sources wherever possible.
Viewing this inauguration as a symbol of the State Government’s commitment to generating renewable energy, the Chief Minister stressed that successful development initiatives require much more than just utilizing technology.
“While technology emerges for our benefit to solve problems, technology in itself is not enough. What is more important is whether we can transform that technology into a workable solution,” he stated.
The Chief Minister added that the CM Solar Mission has been designed differently, focusing on comprehensive, end-to-end solutions rather than just installation. In addition to solar panels, educational institutions are also provided with inverters and batteries to store power for use during cloudy days or power outages.
Explaining the scale of the Mission, he informed that over 1.5 MW of solar power capacity has already been installed across nearly 700 schools in Meghalaya under the CM Solar Mission, while implementation in another 1,300 schools will commence shortly.
Highlighting the financial benefits of the project, the Chief Minister stated that this solar installation is expected to help the school generate around 6,000 units of electricity per month. This translates to monthly monetary savings of nearly ₹40,000, or approximately ₹5 lakh annually.
He also announced plans to install net-metering systems, which will enable the surplus power generated during weekends and holidays to be fed back into the power grid.
“A few villages, a few houses, and several households will benefit from the electricity generated by this school,” he said, adding that if 2,000 schools across Meghalaya participate in this program, hundreds of households will benefit from the clean energy produced by these educational institutions.
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The Chief Minister further announced that the Government of Meghalaya will soon organize a State-Level Technology and Innovation Competition. This initiative aims to encourage school students, innovators, and young entrepreneurs to develop practical solutions to challenges in sectors such as energy generation, waste management, water supply, healthcare, and agriculture.
“The Government will support the best ideas. We will not just hand out prizes to the winners. We will fund their startups, help them implement the solutions they bring forward, and support them in scaling up their businesses,” he said.
Other dignitaries who spoke on the occasion included Dr. Joram Beda, Commissioner & Secretary of the Power Department, and Sr. Sonia Chacko, Principal of St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, among others.