Chandigarh: 8 years on, over 4K houses sans solar power plants

Even eight years after the UT Administration made installation of rooftop solar power plant mandatory for residential properties with area of 500 sq yd or more, more than 4,500 households are yet to get it installed.

An official of the Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science and Technologies Promotion Society (CREST) stated that as many as 1,867 households had the solar power plants atop rooftop, while 4,541 units were yet to comply with the orders.

In 2016, the UT Administration had mandated that residential houses with plots of 500 sq yd or more will have to install solar power systems to comply with the building bylaws.

In a bid to enhance the adoption of solar power, the administration has also made it mandatory for the owners of 250 sq yd plots to get solar power plants installed. UT Adviser Rajeev Verma had recently directed the Secretary, Urban Planning Department, to further amend the building bylaws, reducing the plot size requirement for mandatory solar installation from 500 sq yd to 250 sq yd

To expedite the installation of rooftop solar plants, the Adviser had directed Deputy Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh to take stringent action against the defaulters and to issue property resumption notices to the property owners (plot size 500 sq yd and above) who have failed to comply with the orders.

After receiving notices for violation of the building bylaws, nearly 50-60 house owners have applied for installation of solar power plants. The official stated more and more residents were making queries for installation of solar power plants.

After the recent directives from UT Adviser, CREST has offered dedicated support to residents who have received notices from the Estate Office. “We recognise that this sudden requirement may pose challenges and our goal is to make the process as seamless as possible for all affected residents. Our team is available to answer questions, provide advice and ensure that every resident can meet the mandate effectively,” said a CREST official.

Thus, for support or more information, residents can contact CREST in person at Paryavaran Bhawan, Madhya Marg, Sector 19-B, Chandigarh. They can also reach CREST via phone at 0172-277-1919 and email at crestchandigarh@gmail.com.

Helpline

For support or more information, residents can visit the Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science and Technologies Promotion Society office at Paryavaran Bhawan, Madhya Marg, Sector 19-B, Chandigarh.

They can also reach CREST via phone at 0172-277-1919 and email at crestchandigarh@gmail.com.