Delhi launches Solar City Initiative

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Partnering with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Indo German collaboration (GIZ), BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL), a joint venture between Reliance infrastructure and GoNCT (Government of National Capital Territory), has launched an ambitious ‘solar city initiative’.

Delhi Power minister, Satyendra Jain, announced the news in the presence of many dignitaries from the Delhi Assembly, TERI, GIZ and others.

The initiative aims to maximize the utilization of solar PV rooftops in Delhi, with many apartment buildings and residential complexes, in particular, expected to benefit from the program.

In the first phase, called ‘Solarize Dwarka,’ nearly 150 societies in the Dwarka region, located in South West Delhi, will be covered. Depending on the feedback and responses, the initiative will then be rolled out to other areas.

BRPL CEO, Amal Sinha said, “The aim of solar city initiative is to accelerate solar rooftop development by aggregating consumers and bringing in significant participation from solar developers.”

He further added that the program aims to educate consumers about the benefits of solar energy, while ensuring strict quality compliance with the system. The program will also facilitate various finance options to consumers.

A senior DISCOM official, giving insight into the program, said that this is a win-win situation for both consumers and DISCOMs. A 1 kW solar PV rooftop system is expected to generate typically 4 to 5 kWh per day, which generates an average monthly saving of INR 750 for a period of 25 years on electricity bills.

Furthermore, such initiatives will minimize overloading issues in congested areas during peak summer months.

A dedicated website has been created as a part of solar city initiative program. All related formalities  can be completed through this portal, thus minimizing the delays of offline paper transactions. For customer queries, a solar helpline has also been launched.

India’s set target and commitment to solar energy development is driving the initiatives and programs that are being launched. For instance, recently the Delhi Power Minister committed to adding 1 GW of solar to Delhi’s energy mix by 2019.

Delhi’s railway stations also benefitted from a 5 MW solar PV installation a few months back.

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