The Kerala government has launched an ambitious project to install solar panels on every rooftop in the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. With this project, the state government is trying to make the city, one of the largest solar cities in India.
“The solar city project aims to meet all power requirements of a city from renewable energy sources. In Thiruvananthapuram, we have identified the potential for the production of 800 MW of solar energy. We have identified three lakh buildings suitable for installation through the creation of a solar atlas,” said Narendra Nath Velluri, Director of the state-run Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT).
ANERT has already initiated rooftop solar installations in over 600 government buildings, out of which 150 solar plants were commissioned on Tuesday, 30th May 23. The remaining buildings would get solarized in the next 2-3 months.
ANERT also launched a 3-day expo where people from the city can learn and purchase solar energy systems. Mr. Velluri stated that if solar panels get installed on the identified private buildings, then 700 MWh of solar energy can be produced. He further explains that the remaining goal of 100 MWh can be achieved with solar street lights and solar plants in government institutions.
The event also hosted bank stalls that provide solar loans to consumers.
“..The Kerala government is also incentivising those who opt for the renewable energy option by owning up to 4% of the interest on bank loans to purchase solar systems,” Mr. Velluri said
The solar city project in Thiruvananthapuram is modelled after India’s first fully solar-powered village, Modhera. ANERT says that the capital city is going to be the first to implement Modhera’s success on such a large scale.
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Resource: The Hindu
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