Kerala is set to go ‘solar’ in a massive way to tap the inexhaustible solar energy in the backdrop of the acute power shortage it is facing. The state government will soon come out with a solar energy policy which makes it mandatory to use solar energy for all the new buildings, including residential, and an energy conservation building code for the construction of commercial complexes.
Solar panels will be made compulsory for new buildings. The government is also planning to provide incentives for those who are planning to enter solar power generation. Power Minister Aryadan Mohammed said that the policy will be announced by the government soon. It is in the final stages of preparation and certain changes have to be made before announcing it.
The minister had announced at the Emerging Kerala Summit-2012 that 10,000 solar homes will be launched in the state by including the project in the National Solar Mission.
This will be a pilot project and extended in the next phase. Energy Management Centre director K M Dharesan Unnithan said an energy conservation building code will be introduced by the government. Permission and building number will be given only to those buildings which comply with the code ensuring energy conservation.
“The energy conservation code will be applicable only for commercial buildings, including multiplexes. Those buildings which have a connected load of 100 KW or greater have to enforce the rule,” Unnithan said. The buildings should be designed in a way that the temperature level is low and there is natural lighting in the building. The walls of the buildings should also ensure that more heat is not generated in the building, he said.
Use of solar energy is also mandatory for water heating systems. The solar system should have at least one fifth of the design capacity.
Occupancy sensors have to be installed to conserve energy in meeting and conference halls. It will be ensured that only energy efficient electrical accessories are used. According to Unnithan, the energy conservation code is expected to be released in two months.