The UT of Chandigarh has set a target of 100MW solar power generation by 2022 even as the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy set the target for the city’s power generation to enhance from 50MW to 69MW for that year.
The city currently generates 35MW solar power.
As per reports, the key projects for the UT administration has been installing solar power in private households under Renewable Energy Service Company Model (RESCO) model.
RESCO model is considered one the most successful way to expand solar installation as it is a less capital-intensive solar scheme. Here, the consumer pays only for the electricity generated, while the solar system is owned by the developer.
RESCO model has chosen as the preferred model by the administration of the UT with the view to promote the adoption of solar power in private houses. Other key projects for the UT include solar power plant worth Rs 4.5 crore and installing solar panels in cycle stands in public schools and proposed solar plant on N-choe a seasonal rivulet that passes through Garden of Springs.
The government has also released Rs 5 crore to the administration, which is being used to transfer solar subsidy to residents, who had installed solar plants on their rooftops, as per local media reports.
The government had recently notified the new subsidy scheme for the rooftop solar units, wherein the subsidy amount has been raised from 30 percent to 40 percent for panels up to 3 kWp capacity. For solar units between 4 kWp to 10 kWp, the subsidy will be 20 percent. There will be no subsidy for plants above 10kWp.
