Energisation of Street Lights with Solar Power is a State funded scheme announced by the Hon’ble Chief Minister in the year 2011-12, under which the existing street lights in the Village Panchayats will be replaced with solar powered street lights with an objective of reduction in the maintenance expenditure and promote the concept of renewable energy in rural areas.

          This programme is implemented in the Village Panchayats on an experimental basis.  Initially, 1 lakh street lights will be taken up in 1,000 Village Panchayats for replacement with solar power over a period of 5 years from 2011-12. The Government has sanctioned a sum of Rs.52.50 crore for energisation of 20,000 street lights with solar power in Village Panchayats for the year 2011-12.  Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA) is the Executing Agency.  15,020 street lights have been energised so far with solar power.  The balance will be completed before the end of March, 2013. 

          The Government has issued orders for energisation of 20,000 street lights with solar power and also sanctioned Rs.52.83 crore for the year 2012-13.  The District Collectors have identified the locations, habitations and Village Panchayats where the street lights are to be energized with solar power and furnished the consolidated list to the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency. The TEDA has called for tender and the same will be finalized before the end of March, 2013 and the works will be commenced through the TEDA from April, 2013 onwards. 

          For the year 2013-14 also, 20,000 street lights will be energised with solar power at a cost of Rs.50 crore.