With an aim to popularise the use of solar energy and promote cycling in the City Beautiful, the UT Science and Technology Department has proposed to construct a solar cycle stand at New lake, Sector 42 here.
After successfully establishing India’s first solar-powered cycle stand in Government High School Sector 46 here last year, the UT Science and Technology (S & T) Department has now decided to replicate the concept at prominent locations in Chandigarh.
While talking to The Pioneer, Santosh Kumar, Director Science & Technology Department said, “The Department has chalked out a plan to construct more solar powered cycle stands in the city. Apart from government schools, we have planned to replicate the concept at popular spots of the city.”
He said, “As of now, the Department has decided to set up a solar cycle stand at New lake, Sector 42 here. Besides promoting cycling near this tourist spot, the concept of solar cycle stand would also popularise the use of solar energy. With the construction of solar cycle stands at prominent places in the city, the awareness about SPV solar system will also increase among the city denizens.”
“At New lake here, a 15-20 KWp solar photovoltaic power plant would be commissioned at the rooftop of the solar cycle stand. The solar powered cycle stand to be developed is likely to accommodate more than 100 cycles,” he added.
The solar-powered cycle stand which was developed in Government High School Sector 46 here on an area of 1050 sq ft can accommodate more than 100 cycles and generate more than 20,000 units of the electricity per annum.
The SPV power plant installed at the rooftop is interactive with the grid system so that the extra power supply could be transferred to the main grid system of the city. “The S&T Department has also chalked out a plan to construct solar cycle stands in more five government schools of Chandigarh,” added Santosh Kumar.
Notably, taking a cue from foreign countries, the S & T Department had adopted the concept of solar powered cycle stands in the city. The solar cycle stands are widely used for lighting in parking lots and schools in countries like United States, Japan among others while India is yet to venture into this revolutionary urban lighting concept.
The solar power projects are being executed here under the model solar city project. The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy had chosen Chandigarh in 2008 for developing it into a model solar city.
As of now, 2 MWp SPV plants on 27 different buildings were installed in Chandigarh and another 3 MWp SPV plant is under installation. The S & T Department has also planned to install SPV power plants on all police stations and E-Sampark Centers in Chandigarh.