Irumbai village in Tamil Nadu will become hi-tech. Irumbai is an agricultural village in Vanur taluk, Vilupuram district in Tamil Nadu state. Now the village is notable for implementing a pilot project to maximize solar energy for the villages. The project aims to ensure 24 hour power supply to the village in any weather condition. With this, Irumbai will become the first complete solar village in the country. The proposal to implement the project was submitted in December 2019 , using the State Innovative Fund. It aims to generate and provide 170 KWp (Kilowatts peak) of electricity by installing panels on an area of 4000 square feet. It will cost 2.3 crore.
The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) approved the project on November 18, 2020. The project is being implemented by the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA). The government aims to make full use of solar energy in villages across the state, depending on the success of the pilot project. It will be grid connected solar photovoltaic power plant without battery . 10% of the cost will be born by the local government. Excess electricity after use in the village will be purchased at 96 paise per unit by TANGEDCO and revenue will be given to TNDA. This amount will be used for further research.
TANGEDCO will provide 3-phase electricity to the village on 24X7 basis. It will generate 150% more electricity than the village needs now. The impact of the solar system on the employment, education and economy of the people in the village will also be studied.
