In 2008, the Union government selected Chandigarh to be developed as nodal solar city, setting a target of achieving 69 MW solar power generation by 2022.
Installation work of 800 kW solar power plant worth Rs 4.5 crore will start next year in Chandigarh.
The Union Territory administration has recently approved the detailed project report (DPR) of the ambitious plant, proposed to be set up at the parking area of New Lake in Sector 42.
Out of 800 kW, 90 kW solar energy will be reserved for charging e-vehicles. It will be the first-of-its-kind charging station for the electricity-run vehicles in Chandigarh. However, the officials are yet to decide the price for charging.
The DPR was recently approved by the Principal Secretary of Science and Technology and Renewable Energy Department Arun Kumar, who is also the Principal Home Secretary, Chandigarh
Chandigarh eyeing ‘69 MW’ solar power by 2022
In 2008, the Union government selected Chandigarh to be developed as nodal solar city, setting a target of achieving 69 MW solar power generation by 2022 through net and gross metering.
However, the Chandigarh Renewal Energy, Science and Technology Promotion Society (Crest), the nodal agency for installation of solar plants in Chandigarh, has only managed to install solar plants of 24.9 MW capacity till date.
According to The Times of India, local authorities are struggling to meet the target due to shortage of space in the city.
In the last six years, the Crest was mainly focusing on installation of solar on government buildings and sites. Now, it is encouraging installation of plants on residential buildings as well.
Solar projects planned for Chandigarh
Aiming to achieve meet the target in time, the Crest has proposed to install 3 MW solar plant at N-choe, a seasonal rivulet that passes through Garden of Springs, Sector 53, at the southern end of Chandigarh. The work on this plant will reportedly start next year.
Under its Model Solar City project, the UT administration has also planned to install 8 kW solar plant in city forest (Nagar Van) near Sukhna Lake.
Debendra Dalai, director, UT environment department and Crest CEO, had recently said that they have written to different departments to provide details of spaces available for installation of solar power plants.
A senior official of UT administration told The Times of India that some of the departments have provided them a list of open spaces, which are under control of respective departments.
Accordingly, the UT administration will install solar plants in those vacant spaces too in next year, the official said.
