Applications for solar plants installation still being accepted
CHANDIGARH: Though the deadline for installing rooftop solar power plants at residential properties in Chandigarh expired on November 17, the UT administration has decided to continue accepting the applications for installation of solar plants.
UT environment department and CEO of the Chandigarh Renewal Energy, Science and Technology Promotion Society (CREST) Debendra Dalai said though the deadline has expired, they will accept the applications till a final decision is not taken on this issue, which is expected to be within a week.
He added that in the past three days they have received more than 100 applications. However, only 50% of the households have applied for the installation of the power plants.
The Chandigarh administration, in a notification issued on May 18, 2016, had made installation of rooftop solar power plants mandatory in residential houses measuring 500 square yards and above and group housing societies. There are around 10,000 such houses in different parts of the city, including sectors 8 (417 houses), 11 (493 houses), 33 (643 houses), 35 (419 houses) and 36 (417 houses).
Earlier, the deadline was set for May 6, but was later extended to November 17.
The Union government had in 2008 selected Chandigarh to be developed as a model solar city with a target of generating 69MW of solar energy by the year 2022 through net and gross metering.
CREST has only managed to install a solar power plant with a capacity of 24MW in the past six years.
It will have to ensure generation of 45MW within four years to meet the target under the model solar city project. Those who fail to install solar power plants despite directions of the UT administration will be served notice by the UT estate office. Estate office is the custodian of all the buildings – both commercial and residential – in the city.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes
