The UT Administration is all set to formally launch the long-delayed “Solar city project” with great pomp and show. After failing to make headway in the much-hyped “Solar city project” in last five years, the UT Administration has now invited Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Farooq Abdullah to officially launch the project on July 3.
Besides, inaugurating a couple of solar power projects here, Abdullah is likely to dole out sops for the city during his visit. A meeting of Union Minister with Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Shivraj Patil and UT senior officials at Punjab Raj Bhawan is also scheduled on July 3.
During his visit, Abdullah will inaugurate 50 KWp (Kilowatts-peak) solar photovoltaic (SPV) power plant at Paryavaran Bhawan in Sector 19 and 100 KWp SPV power plant in Model Jail, Burail here.
The SPV power plant at Paryavaran Bhawan and Model Jail, Burail has been commissioned at the cost of Rs0.95 crore and 1.9 crore respectively.
Abdullah’s visit to Chandigarh would be significant as UT Administration is expecting major announcement from the MNRE for the city. The UT Administration will also take up the issue of UT’s pending solar projects with the MNRE for approval.
Notably, MNRE had chosen Chandigarh in the year 2008 for developing it into a solar city. In last five years, the ambitious “Solar city project” of Chandigarh has failed to gain momentum. And, the Administration has only managed to install SPV power plants atop government buildings under the project.
While talking to The Pioneer, Santosh Kumar, Director, UT Science and Technology Department said, “The Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Farooq Abdullah will formally launch Chandigarh’s “Solar city project on July 3.”
He said, “The Administration has invited him to inaugurate two SPV power plants in the city. Besides, another SPV power plant of 50 KWp at Government Model Senior Secondary School at Sector 46 would be made functional at the cost of Rs 0.95 crore on the same day.”
“The UT Administration would soon commission more SPV power plants atop Government buildings here,” he added.
The MNRE had approved UT Administration’s solar city master plan in the year 2012. Under UT’ plan, grid interactive solar voltage power plant (GISVPP) would be installed in the all major Government buildings here.
The SPV system installed at the rooftop of the government building are interactive with the grid system and the extra power supply is transferred to the main grid system of the city. Besides, the Administration is also promoting usage of Solar Water Heating System (SWHS) in the city.