STAKEHOLDERS CONSULTATION MEETING FOR PROMOTING ROOFTOP SOLAR POWER SYSTEM IN UT CHANDIGARH

National Tele24 News

Vinay Kumar

Chandigarh

A Stakeholders Consultation Meeting was held today on 29th August, 2019 under the Chairmanship of Shri Arun Kumar Gupta, IAS, Home Secretary-cum-Principal Secretary (Science & Technology & Renewable Energy), UT Chandigarh for popularizing Rooftop Solar Power in Chandigarh. The stakeholders like CRAWFED (Chandigarh Residents Association Welfare Federation), FOSWAC (Federation of Sector Welfare Associations), Chandigarh Beopar Mandal, Hotels and Restaurant Associations, Industries Association of Chandigarh, Chamber of Chandigarh Industries were present in the meeting.  The officers from CREST, Chandigarh and Electricity Department were   also there. At the outset, Sh.Debendra Dalai, IFS, Director (Science & Tech. & Renewable Energy) & CEO, CREST, UT Chandigarh welcomed all the stakeholders and highlighted the purpose of the meeting. He outlined the vision of Chandigarh Administration to make it the Model Solar City. Sh.Mukesh Anand, Chief Engineer, UT Chandigarh stressed on simplification in procedure done  by the Administration as a measure towards ease of doing business for encouraging the citizens to come forward for more & more rooftop solar power installation.Shri Arun Kumar Gupta, IAS, Home Secretary-cum-Principal Secretary (Science & Technology & Renewable Energy), UT Chandigarh while addressing the stakeholders informed that Government of India has already notified new subsidy scheme for rooftop solar power wherein the subsidy amount has been raised from 30 to 40% for rooftop solar upto 3 kWp capacity and 20% from 4 kWp to 10 kWp.  He urged all the stakeholders to come forward to avail the benefit of the scheme and contribute in making the UT Chandigarh 100% RE.  He also stressed that since Chandigarh has limited scope and potential for ground mounted solar system, Rooftop is the only area where potential can be tapped. He further said that though it has been made compulsory for residential houses above 500 sq. yards to have rooftop solar power system but the houses with smaller plot size also can reap the benefit of the scheme and get other economic benefits. He highlighted that 30 MW solar power installation has already been done in Chandigarh producing 76 MU of energy thereby substantially contributing towards mitigation of climate change effect.  The cost benefit analysis of availing the scheme was also presented wherein it was informed to the gathering that the payback period for Rooftop Solar Power System is approximately 6 years. At the end, all the stakeholders present appreciated the simplification in the procedure done and steps taken by the Administration to popularize the rooftop solar power system in Chandigarh. They also highlighted the challenges being faced especially by the commercial/ industrial establishments. They further requested for extension of the deadline for mandatory installation of  Rooftop Solar Power System which is ending on 30th September, 2019. The eminent persons among the stakeholders present were Mr.Baljinder Singh Bittu, Dr. Anish Garg, Mr.Pardeep Chopra, Dr.Jagpal Singh, Mr.Pankaj Khanna, Mr.Sanjeev Chadha, Dr.O.P. Verma, Mr.Naveen Manglani, Mr.Arun Mahajan, Mr.Kamaljit Singh Pachhi and other members. Finally, the Home Secretary assured all the stakeholders that necessary steps shall be taken to sort out the genuine issues as raised by the stakeholders to take Chandigarh to a different height and making the UT 100% RE powered  as envisioned by the Government of India.