House of Skills - Solar Energy Project

The need to explore alternate sources of energy has gained much importance since Kerala State faces acute-power shortage.  The use of solar energy has been identified as an alternative source and its usage has been developed in Kerala through a state government agency known as ‘Agency for Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT)’. Considering the scope of installation and maintenance of solar panels and its tremendous commercial opportunities in the open market, KEXCON concluded that the skilled Ex-servicemen trained in electrical and electronics field, who are registered with the Corporation will be able to execute the task effectively. Hence the Corporation conceived a programme named ‘House of Skills - Solar Energy Project’.  Accordingly, the Corporation set up 3 Solar Teams, each consisting of one Solar Power Plant Inspector and five Solar Power Panel Installers, who underwent ‘Training and Accreditation Programme’ conducted by the Centre for Management Development (CMD) for execution of the project. The ‘House of Skills - Solar Energy Project’ clubbed with“Uniform and Garment Manufacturing Project” was inaugurated by Shri EP Jayarajan, the Hon’ble Minister for Industries & Youth Affairs while releasing the newly updated brochure of Kexcon at a grand function held at Thiruvananthapuram on 27 February 2019. As the inaugural venture, the Corporation successfully implemented a project of ‘installation of solar panels on the roof of Panchajanyam Kalyanamandapam of Sree Padmananbha Swamy Temple’ with a capacity to generate 18.20 KWP solar energy. In order to diversify further into envisaged segments of ‘Kexcon House of Skills’ projects, the Corporation applied to the Government for ‘accreditation’. The Government, after evaluation of the dedicated performance rendered by the Corporation during the last 10 years and placement at the top position among welfare Corporations as per the Economic Review conducted by the Planning Department for last two years, awarded ‘accreditation’ in January 2020.It enables the Corporation to undertake solar panel installation works valued upto Rs.5 Crores in a year.

House of Skills - Solar Energy Project Phase – I (Financial Year 2019-20): The Corporation submitted the project proposal to the Government for the Financial Year 2019-20. After discussions with the State Planning Board the project was forwarded to the Government. The “House of skills – Solar Energy Project (Phase I)” received an allotment of Rs. 10 Lakhs in July 2019 and another 10 Lakhs in February 2020 from the plan funds during the financial year 2019-20 for implementation of the project. During the six months of the financial year, the Corporation undertook and successfully executed the following Solar on Grid Installation works.

• Installation and commissioning of 18.2 KWp On-Grid Solar system on the roof of Panchajanyam Kalyanamandapam of Sree Padmananbha Swamy Temple
• Installation and commissioning of 5 KWp On- Grid Solar system on the roof of Ksheerolpadhana Co-operative Society, Chittillapilly

House of Skills- Solar Energy Project Phase – II (Financial Year 2020-21): The implementation of House of Skills Project Phase I successfully instilled confidence and imparted  momentum to the Corporation to spread its activities to further segments and thereby augment the rehabilitation of ESM usefully for the organization as well as for the society at large, simultaneously creating a brand value for KEXCON. The “House of Skills-Solar Energy Project Phase II” propose to involve more dedicated teams for installing and maintaining solar energy systems for any needy client. These teams will comprise of appropriately skilled and experienced Ex-servicemen who will provide quality support service to the clients and earn handsome financial returns for themselves. The Phase II of the project was prepared and processed through Sainik Welfare Directorate for discussion with the State Planning Board wherein it was proposed to share the Project cost between Kexcon and the Government Plan Fund for the year 2020-21 in certain proportion.