Post Offices to tap solar energy

CHENNAI: The Department of Posts has decided to tap solar energy to manage disruption in power as supply was hit during the rains in Chennai and suburbs last week.

As a precautionary measure, the State Electricity Board suspended power supply following the record rain that inundated several places in Chennai and its neighbourhood.

"The Department of Posts has initiated action for installation of Solar Power packs in order to provide solar backup during power shutdown," an official release said.

In some post offices, solar power projects were already installed so that "erratic" power supply does not hamper the operations, it said.

Three post offices-- one in Tiruvannamalai and two each in Puducherry-- have installed 2KWp of solar energy at a cost of Rs 11 lakh, it said.