The ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) has allocated forty-one cities including Chandigarh, Nagpur, Mysore and Gandhinagar, which will be developed as model solar cities. “The new and renewable energy ministry has given sanction for 41 cities to be developed as solar cities and Gandhinagar, Nagpur, Chandigarh and Mysore are being developed as model solar cities.”
“The ministry has approved the master plans for the 28 cities and the project installations have already started in a few cities,” the ministry said in a release. At a meeting on solar cities, new and renewable energy secretary, Gireesh B Pradhan asked the municipalities to enhance use of renewable energy and save fossil fuel-based energy. “They can amend the building bye-laws suitably to promote use of solar water heaters, solar SPV rooftop systems, kitchen waste-based plants in various establishments of the city,” he said.
Recently, we had reported about how cities like Chandigarh, Shimla have initiated with their efforts to encourage use of solar energy, be it for power, transportation etc. Even though, these are still early days in the country as far as consuming solar energy is concerned. But the efforts of states to encourage growth is more than visible and the signs are bright for the future of solar consumption in India.
