Admn warns of action against building owners

* Make plan to achieve target

In 2016, the UT Administration had made installation of rooftop solar power plants mandatory in new properties measuring 500 square yards and above and in group housing societies. He also directed to make a year-wise action plan to achieve 75 MWp of solar power plant installation in the city by August 15, 2023.

Failure to install solar plants

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 30

In order to reduce dependence on non-renewable resources, the UT Administration has warned all building owners of action if they fail to install solar power plants as per the Building Bylaws.

During the Governing Body meeting of Chandigarh Renewal Energy and Science & Technology Promotion Society (CREST) held here yesterday under the chairmanship of UT Adviser Dharam Pal, it was discussed that several residential houses, industrial buildings, commercial buildings, institutional buildings, etc., have not complied with the orders dated May 18, 2016 of mandatory installation of solar power plants in Chandigarh.

In 2016, the UT Administration had made installation of rooftop solar power plants mandatory in new properties measuring 500 square yards and above and in group housing societies.

The UT Adviser directed all such building owners to install solar power plants as per the Building Bylaws immediately, failing which necessary action would be taken against them.

He also directed to make a year-wise action plan to achieve 75 MWp of solar power plant installation in the city by August 15, 2023.

The Administration has already approved a scheme to implement rooftop solar project on private residential buildings under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model.

Under the scheme, a private company will install solar panels without taking any money from house owners. The owners will have to give only space on the rooftop to the firm and they will get electricity at Rs2 per unit less than the existing rates for the next 15 years even if the electricity rate increases. After the completion of the fixed period, the company will hand over the solar plant to the owner. The firm will recover the cost by selling the energy produced from the plant.