Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) announced that it had provided solar-powered smart class facilities to 122 government high schools at Yadgir, Karnataka, as a part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.

In its press statement, BEL said that the smart class facilities included a 50 inch LED television, CPU with accessories, green board, LED lights, and cabinets to store all equipment. All equipment is powered by a standalone solar photovoltaic (PV) power system with battery. The total cost of the project is ₹38.4 million (~$513,229.81), it added.

In November 2019, Mercom reported that BEL issued a Request for Selection (RfS) for setting up 122 solar-powered smart class facilities in government high schools at Yadgir. The total capacity of the project was 36.6 kW. The scope of work included the design, supply, testing, installation, and successful commissioning of the smart class hardware and educational digital content, including five years of an annual maintenance contract.

BEL said that the solar-powered classroom could help improve students’ academic performance as it would provide visual content for students to digest information easily. It would also help tutors to describe the complex concept simply through visual content. High school students can learn subjects like science, mathematics, social science, and English according to the state syllabus via digital content, it added.

BEL also installed hand-wash facilities in 100 government primary schools at the cost of ₹10.2 million (~$136,323) in Yadgir. The company said that it had started various projects in Yadgir and Raichur districts of Karnataka as a part of its CSR under the Government of India’s key initiative called Transformation of Aspirational Districts.

CSR funds can be an effective tool for solar expansion. The concept of CSR, which was introduced through the Companies Act 2013, puts the onus on companies to formulate policies which will help in uplifting the community.

Earlier, it was reported that the Himachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency (HIMURJA) invited bidders to bid for the installation of solar projects at 312 middle schools in 11 districts of the state. The project installations will be executed under the state’s ‘Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan’ program.

Image credit: ARP Solar

Harsh Shukla is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Previously with Indian Express, he has covered general interest stories. He holds a Masters Degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune.

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