In Tamil Nadu, power-loom weavers in Somanur and nearby areas are mulling to adopt solar power to operate their weaving industry. The Coimbatore District Job Working Power-loom Unit Owners’ Association says that just a handful of power-loom weavers in the district have installed solar panels.    A unit with 10 looms requires five kw solar system. The cost for this works out to Rs 6.5 lakh. The association organised a meeting a few weeks ago to create awareness on solar energy and several weavers had expressed willingness to go in for solar systems.    Canara Bank had come forward to extend loans to the units interested in the project. However, most of the weavers are not in a position to repay the loan if they adopt solar systems by taking loans from the bank.    Hence the association plans to approach the National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (Nabard)and the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency for assistance. Further, with availability of wind energy in the State for the last four months, power cuts have reduced and the units are not using the diesel generator sets.    Solar systems will be economical compared to use of generators.