Subsidies for solar plants in city to be released in 2 weeks

CHANDIGARH: As the last date for installation of solar plants in private residences has been extended to March 2021, all pending subsidies for the same will be released in two weeks, the Chandigarh Renewal Energy and Science and Technology Promotion Society (CREST) has announced.

Giving details, CREST CEO Debendra Dalai said, “Under phase 2 of installation, which comprises all solar plants set up after May 2019, the subsidies were delayed due to the lockdown. There are 650 such cases out of which we have released subsidies of around 400 cases. I am currently approving around 50 cases a day so the remaining subsidies will be released within the next two weeks.”

In 2016, the UT administration had made installation of rooftop solar power plants in new properties measuring 500 square yards and above and in group housing societies mandatory. As per Dalai, there are around 7,200 such residential areas in the city.

About 3,000 of them are yet to apply for permissions for setting up the plant. “The date had to be extended to give some time to these people to apply for as well as to set up the plant,” Dalai added.

The UT has also proposed a Renewable Energy Service Company(RES CO) model( which provides energy to the consumers from renewable energy sources, usually solar photovoltaics and wind power) for setting up power plants due to which installation costs will come down, Dal ai added.

President of the Sector 8 RWA, Ranvinder Singh Gill said, “After spending over ₹4 lakh on the solar project, it is disheartening to not receive the subsidy. During the Covid-19 epidemic the government should make it a priority to pay back what they owe us. “

IN 2016, UT ADMN HAD MADE INSTALLATION OF SOLAR PLANTS ON NEW PROPERTIES OF 500 SQUARE YARDS MANDATORY