Jharkhand Leads In Having Solar-powered Courts

Jharkhand leads among other states in country when it comes to having solar-powered courts. The first district court with solar power plants was inaugurated by Prime Minister NarendraModi two years ago. Since then, Jharkhand High Court and Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (JREDA) have set up the solar power plants in three more courts.

The drive to ensure uninterrupted clean and green power to the courts will continue with five more district courts located at Deoghar, Jamtara, Koderma, Chatra and Ramgarhto getting solar power plants. The plants will be set up in the courts by the end of the year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the solar power plant at Khunti district court in October 2015 and Sahibganj district in April 2017.

Supreme Court judge Justice Madan Lokur inaugurated the third solar plant at Garwah in August 2017.

SC judge Justice Bobde inaugurated the fourth solar-powered court in Simdega district of Jharkhand last Sunday.

The High Court of Jharkhand had initiated the proposal to having a grid connected rooftop solar power plant in Simdega after the success of pilot project at Khunti court.

The solar power plant at Simdega will generate 1,20,00 units of power annually and will be meet 100 per cent requirement of the Simdega court, which is equipped with air-conditioners, computers, fans, tubelights, street lights, printers and other electrical appliances.

After the setting up of solar power plants, the court would get uninterrupted power supply. As generators would not be used, the new system would help control pollution.

“Jharkhand is the leading and perhaps the only state in the country which has four district courts running fully on solar power. The extra power generated in the courts during holidays is given back to the government though grid. It is under five-year comprehensive maintenance. The life of the solar power plant is 25 years. It will function even after the life span, but with diminishing efficiency,” said Sanjiv Kumar Das, central project coordinator in-charge, Jharkhand High Court.