Can Chandigarh Bring the Solar Change And set An Example For Other Indian States

Chandigarh – Model Solar City

In 2016, the rooftop solar capital of Chandigarh had issued a notification making installation of solar panels mandatory on the rooftops of residential houses measuring 500 square yard and above and group housing societies. With only two months left for the two-year deadline to expire, the Chandigarh administration is all set to issue notices to owners to have failed to comply.

Installation of rooftop solar power plants was made mandatory for new construction and the owners of existing houses were given two years to comply with the direction.

Mandatory installation of Solar Panels on Rooftops of Chandigarh

Out of 10,000 such establishments, only 158 have applied for installing solar plants of total capacity 896.24 kW. The Central Government had targeted installing 50 MW solar plants, both at residential and government buildings, by 2022 making it a model solar city. However, the city has installed only 13.5 MW till date. Rooftop solar was expected to be a successful in Chandigarh as it is a land locked city with a scarcity of open areas for installation of ground mounted solar farms.

The ‘Chandigarh Renewal Energy, Science and Technology Promotion Society (CREST)’ is also aggressively educating residents about the benefits of the solar power plant. The Chandigarh Estate Office who is the custodian of all the buildings in Chandigarh will also conduct a survey of such houses without solar rooftop plants, serving notices to those who had not complied. The administration will also take action against owners who would fail to comply with the directions.

Benefits of Installing Rooftop Solar 

A 1 kWh unit costs approximately INR 60,000 out of which a resident can claim 30% subsidy. Moreover, his costs can be recovered in 5-6 years. The price of solar is falling and the technology is improving every year. It is high time people start adopting solar as the mainstream source of power. However, the people in Chandigarh have a myth that the policy will not have long-term benefits, which can only be changed through proper solar education.

Conclusion

While it is a good thing that the government of Chandigarh is thinking of making Chandigarh a model solar city, it might be not fair on the part of residents to forcefully install solar panels. Many people in India are price-sensitive and do not like to bring change in their ways of living. Though proper guidance and education about solar technology in required to talk about the innumerable benefits of going solar, the government should also come forward and help them in whatever way possible to encourage them to take this change.