In four years from now, Ghaziabad may draw 10% of its total energy needs from solar power with the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) planning to develop it as the second ‘solar city’ of the state after Ayodhya.
At a workshop on creating awareness about solar and renewable energy on August 29, the agency shared the state government’s plan to solarise the city.
“By 2027, there is a plan afoot to generate 22,000 MW of power from solar energy in the state and the government launched the pilot project from Ayodhya. Ghaziabad is next,” Anupam Shukla, the UPNEDA director, said.
The state government, through UPNEDA, will disburse Rs 20 crore over the next five years for installation of rooftop solar panels at all residential, industrial, commercial and government establishments, Shukla said.
The per unit cost of solar energy is nearly 30% less than conventional energy sources and to promote it both the central and state governments are offering subsidies.
“For installation of solar panels in residential areas, the Centre will offer Rs 14,588 per kilowatt (kW) in subsidy. The UP government will give Rs 15,000 per kW subsidy with a maximum of Rs 30,000 per kW. The amount will be transferred to beneficiaries through direct benefit transfer (DBT),” the official said.
The estimated cost of installing solar panels for a 3BHK or 4BHK apartment comes to around Rs 2 lakh. “In addition to this, 30,000 Surya Mitras, from ITI and polytechnic background, are being trained to help in the installation process. A consumer will also have 351 government-empanelled vendors to choose from,” Shukla said.
Municipal commissioner Nitin Gaur told TOI there was a scope to balance out excess solar energy produced. “There is a concept of net metering under which excess or unused solar energy will be passed on to the main grid of the power department. At the time of bill generation, the amount will be balanced out. This is a win-win situation for all. The GMC, on its part, will create awareness over the use of solar energy in the city,” Gaur said, adding that 17 more municipalities will be taken up for solarisation in subsequent phases.
