Maha Metro decided to use solar power in order to make the Futala musical fountain and laser display project environmentally friendly. It has released bids for the installation of 1.5 Megawatt worth of solar panels in the Futala area.
According to Metro sources, solar energy will be delivered through panels to the fountain, laser show, spectator gallery, multi-level parking, restaurant, mall, etc. A private business will install the panels using the renewable energy service company (RESCO) model.
The company will bear the entire cost of installing the panels and then sell energy to Maha Metro.
Sources further said that talks were on with Dr Pan- jabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vi- dyapeeth (PDKV) and other agencies having open land around Futala lake for instal- lation of panels. So far Metro has not decided to install panels atop the spectator gal- lery as roof is not that strong.
Other than this, Maha Metro has decided to install solar panels having total ca- pacity of 10 MW atop its sta- tions and depots. So far 4.5 MW has been installed and the deadline for completing the target is June 2024. These panels supply electricity to Metro stations, offices and other installations.
