Addressing a day-long workshop on ‘renewable energy options in hotels, hospitals and technical institutions,’ organised by Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited, Gupta said with an investment of Rs 16 to 20 lakh a hotel could replace 100 electric geysers each with 2 kw capacity.
The investment could be recovered in the form of savings on power bills in three or four years.
Many banks were offering loans at low interest rates for installation of solar systems. Hotels should also do away with incandescent bulbs that consumed more power than LED or CFL bulbs.
Solar mission
Jawaharlal Nehru Solar Mission launched by the Centre aimed at producing 20,000 MW of power through renewable energy options in the next five years, he said.
Principal Secretary (Energy) K Jairaj said the State Government had adopted the Renewable Energy Policy that aimed at increasing power generation through renewable energy options from 2,00 MW now to to 4,000 MW in next five years.
Project proposals
Jairaj said the State Government has forwarded to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy two proposals - one from Siddaganga Mutt in Tumkur and the other from the Siddalingeshwara temple in Yadiyur to set up solar steam cooking units.
At the Shiradi Temple, food was being cooked with solar cookers for 20,000 people everyday.
The total investment was Rs 1.24 crore and the Centre provided a subsidy of Rs 54 lakh.
A K Singhal, director of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, said that the two proposals were expected to get clearance within a week.