Administration gives three more months to install solar panels

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 25

Giving a major relief to property owners, the Chandigarh Administration has extended the deadline for the installation of solar power panels by three more months.

Sources said the UT Administration had given its nod for the deadline extension for the last time in view of the model code of conduct implemented before the parliamentary elections.

During the poll code, the Department of Science and Technology had stopped releasing subsidy for the installation of solar plants. The deadline for the installation of rooftop solar power panels was ending on June 30, 2019. The Administration has already made it clear that those who fail to install solar plants will be issued notices by the UT Estate Office.

The Administration had extended the deadline for the second time in November 2018 by six months.

The UT Administration, in a notification issued in May 2016, had made installation of rooftop solar power plants mandatory in properties measuring 500 square yard and above and group housing societies. While solar panels were made mandatory for new houses, owners of the existing houses were given two years to comply with the direction.

There are 7,500 residential, commercial and industrial units measuring 500 sq yards and above, which will have to install solar panels.

The Chandigarh Renewal Energy, Science and Technology Promotion Society (CREST) is providing subsidy to residents to install solar panels. The Government of India had selected Chandigarh to be developed as a model solar city and set a target of installation of 69 MW solar plants, both at residential and government buildings, by 2022. Sources said the Administration would not extend the deadline further.