Run your home on solar energy and escape the trouble of frequent power outages and escalating power bills… For, the UT Science and Technology Department is now offering a number of schemes for installation of solar photovoltaic (SPV) power plants at homes.
After the energy conservation plans to promote installation of solar water heating system in the residential areas failed to bear fruits, the UT Science and Technology Department is now all set to promote the usage of SPV power plants in the residential areas of Union Territory of Chandigarh. The venture aims at promoting the energy conservation initiatives in Chandigarh and also is a vital part of the ambitious ‘Solar City Project’ of the city.
To begin with, the UT department has fixed a target to install SPV power plants at 200 private houses in Chandigarh. The department is offering subsidy of 30 per cent on the purchase of SPV power plant. The private house owners can purchase SPV power plants (without battery) upto 500 kwp and SPV power plants (with battery) upto 100 kwp.
Besides, the Department has decided to provide single solar panels on the subsidy of 30 percent to 100 houses in the city. The solar panel can be directly attached to inverter to generate electricity through solar energy. The department has also initiated work to install SPV power plants in the government houses of the city. Initially, SPV power plants would be commissioned in five Government houses in Sector 7 here and later more government houses would be covered.
While talking to The Pioneer, Santosh Kumar, UT Director Science and Technologydepartment said that the department has decided to promote the usage of SPV power plant in private houses of the union territory of Chandigarh. For this, the department is providing 30 percent subsidy on the purchase of SPV power plants.
He said, “The Department would also provide single solar panels which can be attached to inverter in the houses. A total of 300 houses would be covered under both the initiatives related to SPV power plant and separate solar panels.” Santosh Kumar added, “SPV power plants are already functional in 11 Government buildings of Chandigarh.”
“The department is already providing subsidy of 55 percent on the solar water heating system (SWHS) for the residents. But only few residents have come forward to commission SWHS in their houses,” he added. Earlier in 2008, the Administration had notified new building bylaws making it compulsory for the one Kanal houses to install solar water heater of at least 100 litres and for two Kanal houses, the solar system of at least 200 litres. The residents were also directed to comply with the orders within two years to the date of notification.
While over four have lapsed, there is almost negligible compliance to the orders issued. Santosh Kumar added that all Government buildings, hotels, commercial institute using hot water were also directed to install SWHS of adequate capacity in the premises. The compliance to the orders in the government buildings and hotels has been commendable so far.