Solar systems likely to be installed in buildings

Source :Nidhi Singhi , TNN, May 17, 2010, 10.00pm IST



LUDHIANA: To conserve energy, the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) is mulling to make it compulsory to install solar systems in newly constructed buildings in major cities. This is being done in view of increasing number of malls and commercial buildings.

To speed up the process, PEDA officials have also forwarded a proposal to chief minister Parkash Singh Badal to install solar systems in all commercial buildings for preservation of energy.

According to information, PEDA has to generate energy up to 300 MW by the end 2010. As such, it has decided to increase it up to 360 MW by 2012, while around 50 MW is being currently generated from various renewable sources. The energy generated by PEDA is further used by POWERCOM to fulfil the needs of consumers.

Talking to TOI on Monday, PEDA chairman Manjeet Singh said, “We have proposed to the state government that they should install solar systems in commercial buildings so that more energy can be generated. The state is already reeling under acute power shortage and it is time we adopted preventive measures.”

However, PEDA has started around 16 projects in the state, including biomass and solar project, and wants to generate up to 360 MW from these. A PEDA official said they were providing 50% subsidy on solar systems for the convenience of residents and hence, people should come forward for installing these. However, this subsidy was sanctioned recently as earlier there was no subsidy for domestic consumers.

The official also informed that they would install solar systems in the state assembly, Rajpal Bhawan, Harimandir Sahib and Parliament. “There is a huge gap between demand and supply as the demand has touched 1,230 lakh units while the supply is only 1,100 lakh units. This is resulting in power cuts and so we need to generate energy from other sources,” he added.