Capital still craves for more power

'Solar panels on govt buildings will help'

 If solar panels are fitted on most government buildings, the city can generate a tenth of its average daily power consumption – about 500 MW, says a Delhi government report given to Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung.

The ever growing power demand in the city has forced administrators to look for new sources of power and the solar power units seem to be emerging as an ideal answer – like in Gujarat.

 The capital recorded a peak power demand of 5,789 MW this season and this figure is likely to grow by 5-10 per cent in 2015. 

Power department officials said to explore the potential of solar power a study was conducted to calculate the terrace space available in government buildings for putting up photovoltaic cells.

“Nearly 2.5 lakh square metre space is available on the roofs of government buildings for the purpose,” said an official.

“Such a huge space can generate up to 500 MW solar electricity,” he said.

The study and the following report on the solar power generation potential followed a visit of Delhi officials to Gujarat to study the successful model in that state. 

“A team of senior officers visited a solar energy park there,” said an official.

Jung had told power department officials to identify the government buildings with more than 100 square metre space on their terrace.

The Power Department later sought the Public Works Department’s help  to identify government buildings with over 500 square metres space on terrace.

A solar power unit for generating 100 KW power is working at Vikas Bhawan at ITO.
 The unit in the building cost nearly Rs 2 crore.

The plant’s success has encouraged the power department officials to consider terraces of government-owned schools, hospitals, colleges, jails and office blocks for putting up solar units.