New Delhi: Stating that Delhi could become the “solar capital of India,” chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday inaugurated a 218kW solar power plant at Lady Irwin College. The power plant will generate over 3 lakh units of power each year resulting in a reduction in CO2 emission of 274 tonnes annually.
Kejriwal said that to strengthen the solar power usage in Delhi, a mass movement was required. “Delhi government has formulated major policies, such as Mukhyamantri Solar Power Yojana that includes incentivising the installation of solar power plants for residential and commercial properties, and Mukhyamantri Kisan Aay Badhotri Solar Yojana that includes increasing the income of farmers by three to four times. Delhi may soon become the solar capital of India through such initiatives,” he added.
“The solar power journey of Delhi has just begun, and we do not have many achievements in this space. Considering that, when institutes like Lady Irwin College take such initiatives, they turn into an example for other institutes and organisations.”
Discussing the government’s solar policies, the CM said, under one of them, Delhiites only had to give their rooftops. The residents, RWAs, or any entity installing the solar power panel do not have to spend any capital cost and they will save money on power consumption as well.
“The second policy is for farmers who can install solar power panels at some height. They will receive rent and can continue cultivating their farmlands. This increases their income by three to four times,” he added.
“In the last four years, solar power generation in Delhi has increased from about 7 MW to 177 MW,” said Kejriwal.
“Our recent EV policy has been applauded. We have shut down both the thermal power plants, while there are 11 thermal power plants around Delhi,” said the CM further.
Lady Irwin College director Anupa Siddhu, on the occasion, said that “taking into consideration the effect of global warming, we felt it was time to shift our dependency from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy. The addition of this solar plant will not only fulfil our electricity needs but also help us reduce our electricity cost.”
“The solar rooftop project was conceptualised about two years back. The plant has been put up on three major buildings of the college and will generate about 3 lakh units of power each year,” added Meenakshi Mital, convener of the solar project at the college.
