Mangaluru: Government schools in Dakshina Kannada district are going to be role models for others as they are gearing up to produce solar power and make some money while the sun shines by selling the power thus generated to the Mescom.

It is said that 50 government aided schools have been identified to implement the Solar rooftop scheme and each selected school will be given Rs 2.5 lac each to install 3kv solar power generation unit. By selling surplus power, the schools can earn up to Rs 3,000 per month.

The project is the brain child of MLC Ivan D’Souza, who plans to utilise his funds and also rope in industrialists as donors to matrialise the project.

Work of solar panel installation is complete in 10 schools and it will be inaugurated soon. Those schools will sell the excess energy generated through the solar units to Mescom at the rate of Rs 9.56 per unit, said sources adding that one school can produce 12 units of power and the money earned by selling surplus power can be used for the development of the school.

Based on the success, the project would be extended to more schools, said sources.