Chandigarh Judged Best for Solar Power Installations Among UTs

Chandigarh has been judged best among the Union Territories with regards to solar power installation in an award function organised under the aegis of Association of Renewable Energy Agencies of States (AREAS). Chandigarh was also awarded the solar installations it had made in the 8th Foundation Day of AREAS celebrated in Cochin, Kerala.

AREAS was formed by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Recognising the Achievements of CREST

Chandigarh renewable energy, science & technology promotion society (CREST) received an award in the key ceremony for installing the second highest renewable capacity in the country among the UTs as on March 31, 2022.

As far as the solar power capacity addition between 2021 and 2022 and solar street lights installations are concerned, Chandigarh was awarded for being the second highest in the country. CREST is looking to achieve 75MWp by August 15, 2023 under ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.’

The present capacity of grid-connected rooftop solar installations stands at more than 50 MWp. The total installations are commissioned at about 4,200 sites.

Debendra Dalai, Secretary for Science & Technology and Renewable Energy and the CEO of CREST, informed that Chandigarh is undertaking a number of unique solar power projects. It includes, 2 MWp floating solar power plant at Water Works in Sector-39, 2 MWp canal-top solar power plant at N-Choe in Sector-52, 2 MWp canal-top solar power plant at Patiala Ki Rao and a 500 kWp floating solar power plant at Dhanas Lake.

Chandigarh On The Go

In March, CREST said that it will develop four solar power projects totalling 6.5 MW capacity in different locations at a cost of Rs 43 crore.

On World Earth Day, a 350 kWp Rooftop SPV Power Plant at Model Jail Complex was inaugurated.

Chandigarh is also employing the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model in the UT under which, private solar firms will install rooftop solar panels without charging anything from the owners of the residential buildings. The willing landlords will just have to offer their space to firms and the building owners will receive electricity Rs 1.50 less every unit as against the existing tariff.

The UT administration is set to roll out the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model, under which a private firm will be responsible for developing, installing, financing and operating the rooftop solar power plant, the report said.

Recently, NITI Aayog had declared Chandigarh among top performing states in its State Energy and Climate Index (SECI) report for performing best across several parameters and measures undertaken for mitigating climate change during 2019-20.