Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), part of Steel Authority of India (SAIL) in Chhattisgarh, has announced the construction of a 200-KW elevated solar power plant at Maitri Bagh Zoo, located in the company’s township. The project, being developed in collaboration with the Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA), will be the first elevated solar power plant in the state.

Elevated solar panels, mounted above the ground, will allow space beneath the structure to be used for outdoor seating or storage, with the added benefit of growing fodder for animals. The energy generated will supply power to both the zoo and the adjacent Jawahar Udyan.

The elevated plant, designed to be one of the tallest solar installations in the region, will produce 24,000 units of electricity each month, totaling 288,000 units annually. The installation uses high-efficiency monocrystalline bifacial solar modules, which maximize energy production while occupying less space.

The plant’s structure is substantial, standing at a height of 3.5 meters in the front and increasing to 5.5 meters at the back, weighing approximately 30 tons to ensure stability.