Four Solar Power Projects Worth 6.5 MW Floating Up in Chandigarh Soon

Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science and Technology Promotion (CREST) will develop four solar power projects totaling 6.5 MW capacity in different locations of Chandigarh. The cost of this solar expansion will be Rs 43 crore.

As far as the projects are concerned, two will be first of their kind. These solar power projects will be constructed over two water streams – N-Choe and Patiala ki Rao. The estimated cost of solar power installation over each will come to around Rs 13 crore.

In Sector 39 of Chandigarh, a 2MW floating solar power plant will be constructed that will come at a cost of Rs 12 crore. The aim is also to reduce the rate of evaporation and save the potable water for the residents of Chandigarh.  Then there will also be a 500 KW floating solar project at Dhanas Lake which will come at a cost of Rs 5 crore. The CREST executive committee meeting had approved the Dhanas Lake solar power project last February.

The lake will also host a fountain that will attract tourists and add to the value of the place. CREST CEO Debendra Dalai says that usually 1kWp produces about 1300 units of electricity annually but the same can produce 1400 units when installed over a water body.

The financial estimate is already in place and the administration of the Union Territory has already given its financial nod for the solar projects. The final rates will come up only when the tender process is complete.

Chandigarh Solar Power Trajectory

In a status report submitted to the Chandigarh Administration, CREST has declared that the organization has installed about 48MW solar power by the last February.

CREST is mandated to achieve an ambitious 75MW solar energy by August 2023 as the administration had submitted the target to the Centre under ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava’ campaign. The MNRE had recently increased the solar power target of the Union Territory from 50 MW to 69 MW.