Delhi govt issues 1st solar policy

Fulfilling one of its major electoral promises, the city Cabinet on Monday chaired by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal approved the solar policy with an aim to make the city environment friendly. Delhi power minister Satyendar Jain said that the policy recommends installation of 1 GW ( 1,000 MW) solar power capacity in Delhi by the year 2020. The policy also proposes to double it to 2 GW by 2025.

Officials said that the policy has been prepared by the Delhi government in consultation with the Dialogue and Development Commission after extensive consultations with local and international experts.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said, “Making Delhi a solar city is one of our 70- point agenda. This policy which is very progressive will help in providing clean and green energy.”

He said, “Rooftop solar systems offer sustainable energy, environmental benefits, low gestation period and minimum transmission and distribution losses.”

Mr Jain said that solar power is the most viable form of green energy in Delhi.

“It has the potential of lowering the state’s expenditure on energy, strengthening its energy security and reducing its reliance on unsustainable fossil fuels. It will also reduce the burden on the existing transmission and distribution system hence less expenditure will be required on their maintenance,” the chief minister said.

The key highlights of the solar policy include mandatory deployment of solar panels on the government or public institutions, concept of virtual net metering ( to give access to the solar net metering facility to the consumers who do not have a suitable roof for installing a solar system), group net metering ( to encourage solar plants on rooftops of buildings that cannot consume all of the energy generated locally), generation based incentive for three years and amendment of the building bylaws for rooftop solar installations.

Officials said that the policy supports all models of ownership and maintenance of solar plants, including self- owned third-party-owned models.