Every day, before getting started on his assigned work at the post office on Second Avenue Main Road, one of the employees volunteer to dust the solar panels installed on the terrace of the two-storey building. Set up in January 2017 over 200 sq.ft of space, the eight large solar panels generate 150 KW every day. Following the installation of solar power units, counter services at the post office have not been disrupted on account of erratic power supply. Eight computers in the savings accounts section are powered by energy generated by the solar panels. “We have 25 computers at the post office, most of which are scattered in different sections. Only those serving the savings section are found in one place. So, we made these computers part of the exercise to assess the performance of these panels,” says J. Anbumani, postmaster, Anna Nagar Post Office. Interestingly, among the 51 post offices in the North division of Chennai Circle of the Postal Department that function from their own buildings, the Anna Nagar post office alone have installed solar panels as an energy-saving measure. Postal officials say the fact that Anna Nagar post office still retains most of its customers, who number several thousands, through postal saving accounts is the primary reason. “Many post offices in the city operate from their own buildings. Such solar power initiatives should be introduced at these post offices to reduce dependence on coal-powered electricity,” says a postal official.

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