WAAREE Commissions 16 MW Solar Project in Maharashtra Under Agri-feeder Scheme

Indian solar module manufacturer WAAREE has announced the commissioning of a 16 MW ground-mounted solar project in Gavhankund, Maharashtra. The project was executed for Waacox Energy Pvt. Ltd. under the Agri feeder scheme of Maharashtra Govt for Maharashtra State Power Generation Co. Ltd. (MAHAGENCO).

The new plant has developed under the support of the Chief Minister’s solar agriculture feeder program. A solar agriculture feeder is essentially a 1-10 MW community-scale solar PV power plant, which is interconnected to the 33/11 kV sub-station. Majorly this scheme benefits in ensuring day-time reliable power for the farmers and not only this, it requires no capital subsidy from the government. Preferably it is cost-effective hence enables a reduction in the subsidy.

Recounting their achievement of completing this prestigious project, the Chairman and Managing Director of WAAREE Energies, Hitesh Doshi stated, “Agriculture is a major consumer of electricity, accounting for one-fourth or one-third of consumption in many States, Access to groundwater for irrigation depends on reliable and affordable electricity supply to run groundwater pumping.

“With the commissioning of this project, we shall be able to contribute toward addressing concerns of livelihoods of the rural poor and food security of the country. The timely commissioning of this project reiterates our commitment towards high quality both in terms of seamless execution and time-bounded delivery mechanisms,” Hitesh added.

Interestingly, the plant was developed in the Warud Taluka of Amravati District. The plant which has installed 60660 numbers of WAAREE make 330 wp Polycrystalline solar modules, two Inverter duty transformers of 6250KVA, & one 3500KVA, five inverters of 3125 kW, is expected to generate more than 78,600 MWh power yearly. The Evacuation shall be at 33kV voltage Level at Temburkhera & Shendurjana (warud) Substation.

Additionally, WAAREE has taken the stock that Two-thirds of the total irrigated area in India is powered by more than two crores electric and 75 lakh diesel pumps. The urgent need for providing agriculture with reliable and affordable daytime electricity makes it imperative for the sector to adopt such an approach, the company said.

This initiative by the Maharashtra govt offers a win-win solution for the farmers, government, and discoms, and offers a much-needed farmer-centric yet fiscally reasonable pathway for the power sector.

Recently, WAAREE had designed, developed, and supplied a high capacity 23KWhr lithium battery for 3 Ton forklift applications of ACE Ltd (Action Construction Equipment Ltd). These forklifts outfitted with WAAREE lithium batteries have now been deployed at Chennai airport and operating for 12 hrs per day.