Greenpeace terms Delhi govt's solar policy a trailblazing step

'Step will help in fulfilling overall goal of sustainable development,' said the NGO

Greenpeace India on Tuesday termed the recent launch of the solar policy by Delhi government as a "trailblazing" step towards fulfilling India's global climate commitments and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious national solar targets.

Noting that the step will help in fulfilling the overall goal of sustainable development, the NGO said the long overdue energy revolution in India will be achieved soon if the entire country moved in a similar direction.

"This is a great victory for our people powered campaign - Switch on the Sun. We were the first to put forward a 2GW vision for Delhi, through our report 'Rooftop Revolution'.

"This is a trailblazing step towards fulfilling India's global climate commitments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious national solar targets and overall sustainable development.

"If the entire country moved in this direction, then the long overdue energy revolution in India will be achieved soon," said Pujarini Sen, Campaigner Greenpeace India.

Giving a major push to clean energy, the AAP government on Monday came out with an ambitious policy announcing incentives and tax breaks to promote solar power and making it mandatory for government and public institutions to install rooftop solar panels.

The solar policy, finalised at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, aims to make Delhi a "solar city" through generation of 1,000 MW of power by 2020 and taking it further to 2,000 MW by 2025.

The NGO claimed that along with thousands of its supporters, it played an active role in the adoption of the new solar policy by the Delhi government.

The NGO lobbied with the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission for the release of Net Metering guidelines and been closely involved with the Delhi Dialogue Commission alongside other stakeholders, in drafting the solar policy released on Monday.

"Thousands of our supporters have helped us convince the Delhi government's readiness to usher in a rooftop solar revolution. We engaged with multiple allies, partners and volunteers including resident welfare associations (RWAs) and other institutions such as hospitals, hotels and government establishments," Sen said.

Greenpeace India said it is a step in the right direction and with this announcement, Delhi can leave behind its previously embarrassing label of "worst" performance in meeting renewable purchase obligation targets.

It can truly be a leader by implementing the policy and contribute to meeting India's national renewable energy targets, the NGO said.

Greenpeace India said URJA, the apex body of RWA in Delhi, which is also an active partner in Greenpeace's 'Switch on the Sun' campaign has also welcomed the solar policy.

"With its high potential of solar incidence and massive power consumption, Delhi is well suited to take the lead among metropolises in this direction," Ashutosh Dikshit, CEO URJA, said.

Kejriwal on Monday had said making Delhi a solar city is one of their 70-point agenda and this policy, which is very progressive, will help in providing clean and green energy.

He had further said rooftop solar systems offer sustainable energy, environmental benefits, low gestation period and minimum transmission and distribution losses.

The policy has outlined a combination of regulations, mandates, incentives, and tax breaks for the growth of rooftop solar power in the capital.