Even as the Central Government has set an ambitious target to achieve 100,000 MW of solar power by 2022 through its Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, Delhi has proved to be a big hurdle in the success of the programme.
While the capital's civic bodies have taken several steps to harness solar energy, only a few of them have tasted success so far. Presently, the city generates 6.71 MW solar power, which is way behind the target of 1,100 MW set under the mission. At this pace, the city will be able to generate only 40 MW of solar power by 2022.
As per the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), there are 86,031 households in the city. As each household consumes 200 units of electricity per month, nearly 120 units can be supplied through rooftop solar panels. The heart of the problem is that one such panel requires 10 sq mt area and an investment of `33,000 to install. This hurdle is blocking optimum utilisation of solar energy for power generation. As per the Central Electricity Authority data, Delhi gets 2 per cent of total power from renewable energy sources.
“Without any subsidy incentive, why would anyone take the pain of cleaning their rooftop for solar panels? Conventional electricity supply is cheap and easy to get,” an NDMC official said.
Tata Power Delhi Distribution CEO and MD Praveer Sinha said, “Rooftop solar panels can certainly be a game changer in the capital provided it gets adequate financial support from the government. The solar panels should be made available to everybody at low price.” The CPWD has planned to install solar panels at 24,842 non-residential buildings by 2022 that will generate 15 MW of solar power.
Action Please
Putting an End to Scarcity of Water
Drought conditions are affecting major sections of the country. This is the scene of a Jhuggi-Jhopri cluster located at Sanjay Camp area of Chanakyapuri. People are rushing to fill their buckets from the daily supply of water provided by the Delhi Jal Board.