PANAJI : The state government has prepared a road map to make Panaji a 100% solar-powered city over the next two years. The initiative includes a focus on the installation of solar rooftop equipment in the capital city and the creation of consumer awareness.
For now, 81 housing complexes in Panaji are being considered for the drive in which solar photovoltaic (PV) technology will be given in the push to make the city 100% reliant on renewable energy.
Moreover, solar energy will be tapped across all consumer segments in the city to meet the increasing electricity requirements and to achieve sustainable development.
A senior government officer said that the Sun Analyzer Software was used for satellite mapping of Panaji to assess its solar rooftop potential.
The city has been divided into various zones to map the rooftop area available in buildings. In each zone, buildings have been categorised as residential, commercial, industrial, or government.
The state government will prepare the Development of City Renewable Energy Action Plan. The Indo-German Energy Programme – Access to Energy in Rural Areas (or IGEN-Access II), overseen by the Centre’s ministry of new and renewable energy, provides technical assistance to also create renewable-energy cities.
The state government’s action plan encompasses the development of solar rooftop power of 34.5MW, which includes the additional potential that becomes available as the city expands. The other thrust areas are the electrification of all passenger transport to 100% EVs; energy-efficiency measures in commercial, industrial, public sector, and residential segments; and the development of off-grid charging stations of 34.5MW capacity to charge all EVs. Also envisaged is the generation of an additional 74MW through solar-park capacity or innovative applications.
The ‘Panaji Renewable Energy City’ dashboard will be set up to provide real-time progress of the project featuring the implementation landmarks, capacity added, activities planned, and milestones achieved. The details can be accessed through Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) portal.
The electricity demand for the state capital is 128MW per day while the average peak load is 22MW, which needs to be met through renewable energy. At present, the total solar power capacity through government and private solar plants is 0.5MW. The government has identified 15 locations in Panaji where solar trees will be installed to generate power.
