Rooftop solar panels to be installed on 645 government buildings in Delhi
The Delhi government aims to increase the solar capacity by three times from the current capacity of 1,500 Mega Watt (MW) to 4,500 Mega Watt (MW) by 2027.
In Short – In a significant move towards sustainable energy adoption, rooftop solar panels are set to be installed on 645 government buildings in Delhi. This initiative underscores the city’s commitment to renewable energy and will contribute to reducing carbon emissions while promoting energy independence and efficiency.
In Details – The Delhi government has approved a proposal for the installation of 50 megawatt (MW) grid-connected rooftop systems on 645 buildings of different departments and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Delhi Power Minister Atishi, who has approved the solar plant installation initiative, said the move is aligned with the recently approved solar policy of the government. The policy provides for the installation of rooftop solar plants on all government and MCD buildings having a built-up area larger than 500 square metres.
Under the approved plan, around 645 Delhi government and MCD buildings, including educational institutions, healthcare facilities, bus depots and power substations, will be equipped with rooftop solar plants, according to a Delhi government statement. “The Delhi solar policy, passed by the Cabinet on January 29, is being hailed as one of the best and most progressive policies in India. This policy is the key to expand the use of solar power in Delhi’s green energy contribution and total power capacity,” news agency PTI quoted Atishi as saying on the issue. “Despite the surge in electricity consumption in Delhi, our target is to generate 25 per cent of the city’s electricity through solar power plants by 2027,” said the power minister. Recently, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accused the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of stopping the Solar Policy 2024.
Target of Delhi Solar Policy 2024
According to the government, under the new policy, the electricity bills of non-subsidized residential consumers are to be reduced to zero and the electricity bills of commercial or industrial consumers are to be reduced by 50 per cent with the help of solar energy. Additionally, Delhi’s total installed solar capacity is to be tripled from the current capacity of 1,500 MW to 4,500 MW by March 2027. This includes the installation of 750 MW rooftop solar power plants in Delhi by 2027 and 3750 MW solar power plants installed outside Delhi.
