Govt looks at solar power for office buildings

In a move to cut reliance on conventional sources of energy, the government is considering installing solar panels on rooftops and open spaces at official buildings to meet day-time electricity needs.
The possibility of installing solar photovoltaic panels on roofs of various buildings as well as grounds or open space belonging to all ministries, departments and PSUs to meet the day-time load was discussed at Ministry of Renewable Energy's presentation to the Prime Minister in June.
"I hope all the ministries and departments will exploit solar energy to reduce day-time load in their buildings as well as in all buildings belonging to the attached offices, public sector undertakings, etc," New and Renewable Secretary Upendra Tripathy has written in a letter dated August 20 to all secretaries.

A proforma to gather information about the variability of space of various buildings of the ministries, departments and PSUs to work out an estimated potential of solar photovoltiac installations has also been attached with the letter.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, under its National Solar Mission, has already demonstrated technical feasibility and economic viability of solar photovoltaic systems for meeting day-time load at a number of places belonging to Central and state governments as well as industrial units.
Sensing the need and essence of solar power, the government has recently decided not to impose anti-dumping duty on solar cells imported from nations like the US and China as the move would have led to rise in equipment cost.

India aims to have 20,000 MW solar capacity by 2022. The country's current installed solar capacity exceeds 2,600 MW and almost one-third of the capacity is in Gujarat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Chief Minister of Gujarat, is known as a proponent of clean energy.
In the Budget 2014-15, Rs 500 crore was allocated to develop solar ultra mega power projects. Some states have reportedly expressed willingness to tie up with the Centre to execute such projects with more than 500 MW capacity each.