‘Earlier projects failed due to lack of reliability and backup’
Shillong, June 2: More than 1.5 MW of solar capacity has already been installed in nearly 700 schools across Meghalaya under the CM Solar Mission, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said on Tuesday.
Similar solar plants will be set up in another 1,300 schools shortly, he said while inaugurating a 50 KW plant at St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School in Shillong.
Underscoring importance of the Mission, the Chief Minister said renewable energy is “no longer just an idea—it is the need of the hour.”
The Rs 50-lakh project at St Mary’s, implemented by MNREDA, includes battery backup and is expected to save the school “approximately 6,000 units of electricity every month, translating into savings of nearly Rs 40,000 per month or close to ₹5 lakh annually.”
“Even when there is no sunlight, the stored energy can provide backup for several days. That means if it rains continuously for two or three days, the school can still rely on the stored power,” Sangma said.
He said the Mission differs from past efforts by focusing on “end-to-end solutions rather than standalone installations.”
“While technologies exist for us to solve many problems, technology by itself is not enough. What matters is whether we are able to convert that technology into a solution,” he said, adding that earlier projects failed due to lack of reliability and backup.
On net metering, the Chief Minister said excess power from schools during holidays could be fed to the grid. “Some village, some house, some poor family will benefit from the power generated right here in this school,” he said.
“If 2,000 schools across Meghalaya participate in the initiative, hundreds of households could benefit from clean energy generated by educational institutions.”
Sangma also announced a state-level technology and innovation competition to fund student and youth startups.
“The government will support the best ideas. We will not just reward the winners. We will fund their startups, help them implement their solutions, and support them in growing their businesses,” he said.
“I am talking about investing crores of rupees in these ideas.” “I want innovation to become a culture in Meghalaya,” he added.
Commissioner & Secretary, Power, Dr Joram Beda said Meghalaya has renewable potential of nearly 14.6 GW and that “nearly 2,000 government schools across Meghalaya have been identified for phased installation of solar energy systems.”
St. Mary’s Principal Sr. Sonia Chacko said the project marks “a significant milestone in the school’s journey towards sustainable development” and will “inspire our students to become responsible citizens who embrace innovation while caring for the planet.”
