India-Pakistan border in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan has been successfully lighted with solar power. The floodlights, along with fencing and border posts managed by Border Security Force (BSF) were supplied with the solar power generated from 5 MW solar power plant installed at Tata area, Jaisalmer. The solar energy vapour plant was installed by the Union Home ministry at a cost of 6 crore and 45 lakh rupees in sarkari tala area of Jaisalmer. The pilot project was set up the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). Power generated from the plant would be sold by SECI at the rate of 5 rupees 45 paise per unit.

If this project is successful, all the international borders of the country will be powered with solar lighting and fencing by installing such solar plants. The major advantage of final implementation of this method would save crores of rupees on power bills of the government and end the huge diesel expenses for running the generator sets.

Did You Know???

• The solar technology can be distinguished into active and passive. Photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors which harness solar energy are examples of active solar technology. Passive technology includes constructing rooms to improve air circulation, orienting space to favorably use sunlight.
• The earth gets 174 Petawatts of incoming solar radiation in the upper atmosphere. About 30% is reflected back to space and the rest is absorbed by oceans, clouds and land masses.
• The earth receives about 1,366 watts of direct solar radiation per square meter.
• Solar energy has been used for over 2700 years. In 700 BC, glass lenses were used to make fire by magnifying the sun’s rays.