Kashi can generate 676 MW of solar energy: Report

A report released by Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED) on Saturday revealed that Varanasi has the potential to generate 676 megawatt (MW) of solar energy by using only 8.3% of its roof-space.

BHU vice-chancellor GC Tripathi and journalist Ram Dutt Tripathi released the report ‘Vibrant Varanasi: Transformation through Solar Rooftop’ in a conference jointly organised by CEED and ASSOCHAM UP.

Highlighting the importance of solar rooftops for the city, CEED’s CEO, Ramapati Kumar said, “Transforming Varanasi through solar roof top programme is a vision to realise Varanasi as a green capital powered by clean and sustainable sources of energy like solar. This report comes at a time when UP Government has signed “Power for All” scheme with the centre.”

“The fact that solar energy prices are lower than the conventional sources of energy and thus a perfect solution to bring about an energy transformation in the entire region, starting with Varanasi,” Kumar added.

As per the report, the suitable solar rooftop space is calculated to be around 8.01 sq. km, which includes unobstructed and shadow-free rooftop space receiving optimal sunlight for solar power generation. This area is capable of generating 676 MW of solar power.

The report proposed the solar rooftop implementation for Varanasi in a phased manner.

Elaborating the findings of the report, Abhishek Pratap, director, programmes, CEED and lead author of the report, said, “A gradual transformation is underway in Varanasi and it is not the question of ‘when’ but ‘how’.”