To provide potable piped water in inaccessible tribal pockets, Koraput district administration has installed 122 solar power-based pumping systems this financial year.
"With most tribal hamlets thinly populated and without electricity, it became difficult to supply piped water to these places under the present scheme. So we introduced solar energy-based piped water system in areas with a population of less than 300," Executive Engineer (rural supply and sanitation), Koraput, Monaranjan Mali said.
The solar-operated submersible pumps, which draw 5,000 to 20,000 litre water everyday, operate automatically and store water in an overhead tank, he said.
Officials said a solar array (300-800W) is installed near a borewell and one HP submersible pump is placed inside it. These work on power generated from photo-voltaic solar cells.
On a regular day, the pump operates for about 7-8 hours, Mali said.
The scheme is being executed by Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) with the Centre funding the entire project.
"The solar panel will last for 15-20 years. Both operation and maintenance costs are low. OREDA will maintain the project for first five years," Mali said.
Each system has been installed at a cost of Rs 4.50 lakh, officials said.
