Solar rooftops: Not many government buildings cashing in
The Solar policy 2014-21 aims to generate 2,400mw of electricity through rooftop solar panels by 2022.
BENGALURU: Bescom had notified over 30 government buildings to install solar grid-connected power plants on their rooftops. But till now, only 4-5 government buildings – Vidhana Soudha, High Court, Vikas Soudha and Bescom – have opted for the green power option. The buildings that were identified included Anganwadis, government schools, colleges and hospitals.
“The government has released around Rs 68 crore for the installation of solar panels on rooftops of government buildings. Work orders are being issued and we will complete it by March. We have identified more than 400 buildings up to Davangere,” said Mr P. Rajendra Cholan, managing director, Bescom, and in charge of the solar project. The Solar policy 2014-21 aims to generate 2,400mw of electricity through rooftop solar panels by 2022. Till now, only 90 mw capacity is achieved.
“Solar is one of the cleanest energy sources and now that the prices have dropped drastically, it has become affordable. Earlier, the solar policy had a lot of loopholes and I think it will take time to narrow it down and get it right,” said Mr Hemanth, the founder GAIA Energy Solutions.
The deputy general manager of solar cell, Basavaraju, said, “We have called the tender and it will begin soon.”
Cholan said that the central government too is extending funds for generating 2,000 mw for each state and 50 mw exclusively for government buildings at subsidised rates. Private players are implementing the scheme. “We provide the platform space and if the government building generates excess power that is more than 8 kw, it will be sold to Bescom,” he said.
Yellapa Reddy, an Environmentalist, said, “There are so many advantages from the use of solar energy, unlike nuclear and thermal energy. We have three times brighter sunlight than Germany, which uses 65% solar energy. Why are we not learning from them? If you look at the electricity bill, it’s huge.”
Source: deccanchronicle
