Seven textile units in Tirupur have come together to set up a captive 20 MW solar power plant, according to Raja M. Shanmugham, Chairman of Apex Clothing Company, the joint venture that will invest in the facility.

These businesses are exploring solar power options following the policy boost given to this renewable energy by the State Government in the form of incentives.

Apex Clothing has inked an agreement with Chemtrols Solar, a Mumbai-headquartered Engineering, Procurement and Construction provider. The Rs 110-crore captive solar plant is to come up in Musiri, Tiruchi District, and will be commissioned by September.

Industries in Tirupur, a cluster of spinning and knitwear units, have already invested in wind energy. Of the 7,200 MW of wind energy projects in the State, over 1,200 MW has been created in Tirupur.

Addressing a press conference to announce the setting up of a 1-MW rooftop solar power project at Alpine Knits, his own business, Shanmugham said the unique feature of the unit is that it is synchronised with the grid and the diesel generator set.

At 15 per cent efficiency, the plant meets about one-fifth of Alpine’s power needs. Based on the generation , the controls cut back on more expensive grid and diesel power. The plant will generate over 16.5 lakh units annually, and in the three months since it has been commissioned, generation has been on target, said Shanmugham.

The Rs 7.5-crore invested in the rooftop plant will be paid back in four years, in the form of power savings, he added.

balaji.ar@thehindu.co.in

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