The Bihar School Examination Board plans to illuminate a large number of secondary schools and inter colleges with solar energy.

The board has received Rs 70.52 crore from the central government under Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission Scheme and Rs 23 crore from the board’s governing body for the School Empowerment through Solar Energy Project.

It aims to install solar panels in all 4,415 secondary schools and inter-colleges of the state in three years.

Manju Verma, the principal of Ram Lakhan Singh Yadav High School, said: “It’s a good move by the Bihar School Examination Board. In a power-deficient state like Bihar, using solar energy could be very useful. The best thing about solar energy is that it is pollution-free. Though the board might find it (installing solar panels) a costly affair, it would save a huge amount of money later in terms of electricity bills. I hope the project starts soon.”

However, the board is waiting for a no-objection certificate from the state government without which work cannot be started on the Rs 235.08-crore project.

“In December 2011, we had sent a detailed project report regarding School Empowerment through Solar Energy to the Centre seeking financial assistance under its Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission. The solar mission scheme provides 30 per cent of the total amount to such solar power projects. The Centre has approved 30 per cent (Rs 70.52 crore) under the solar mission for the power project,” Rajmani Prasad Sinha, the chairman of Bihar School Examination Board, said.

Sinha added: “We got the approval letter regarding this in February. The governing body of the board has also sanctioned Rs 23 crore for the dream project. We have already accumulated 40 per cent of the total expenditure required for the project. We are awaiting a no-objection certificate without which the project cannot be started.”

Asked how would the board meet the rest of the expenditure, Sinha said: “We have asked the education department to bear 20 per cent of the project. We have submitted a report regarding the project to the department. We have also submitted a report to the human resource development ministry also asking them to bear 20 per cent expenditure of the project.

“We have asked Unesco to provide us 10 per cent of the total expenditure, as Unesco provides grants for solar power projects. We will manage the remaining amount through carbon credit sale. If we fail to receive grant from any of the institutions, we would apply for a bank loan. Banks also provide loans for such power projects,” the chairman added.