Govt calls for utilising rooftop space for solar projects

The Centre has asked its ministries, States and all educational institutions across the country to utilise the space available with them to install grid connected solar rooftop systems. The government has set a target of 40,000 MW of grid connected rooftop solar power generation capacity by 2022 under the National Solar Mission. In a recent letter to all central ministries, States, public sector organisation, educational institutions, schools and colleges, New and Renewable Energy Ministry has urged to install grid connected solar rooftop systems/projects in their buildings. "Huge rooftop space is available in government buildings..Even if a part of this space is utilised for setting up rooftop solar systems, thousands of MW of solar power can be generated, " the letter suggested. About ten square meter space is required for installing one kWp of solar rooftop system. Rooftop solar system can help reduce electricity bills besides cutting down carbon emissions from conventional sources like coal. The government is providing financial assistance of 15 percent of the benchmark cost for installation of grid connected rooftop solar system/project on four categories of building--residential, institutional, government and social sector. Under residential class, all types of residential buildings are covered. The institutional category cover schools, health institutions including medical colleges and hospitals, educational institution (public & private) and R&D institutes. The government category has central and state buildings covering all offices, PSUs and government owned societies, companies or organisations. All Panchayati Raj buildings are also covered under this category. In the social sector category, all community centres, welfare homes, old age homes, orphanages, common service centres, common workshop for artisans or craftsman, facilities for usage of communities and any other establishment for common use are eligible for financial assistance for installing grid connected rooftop solar systems.