A recent decision of the Union Government is likely to affect the drive to make Chandigarh a model solar city.
As the Chandigarh Renewal Energy, Science and Technology Promotion Society (CREST) has decided to stop paying subsidy on the installation of solar power plants above 10 kW capacity.
Earlier, 30 percent subsidy was being given to all applicants irrespective of the capacity of the plant.
CREST, however claims that the decision would not affect the drive as the number of cases above 10 kW was not big.
While the deadline fixed by the Estate Office for installing solar power plants has been extended up to September 2019, the decision is likely to affect new applicants for the installation of solar plants.
The UT Administration, in a notification issued in May 2016, had made the installation of rooftop solar power plants mandatory in properties measuring 500 sq yard and above, and group housing societies.
While solar panels were made mandatory for new houses, owners of the existing ones were given two years to comply with the direction.
The deadline has been extended thrice. CREST is currently generating 30 MW from solar, the target is to generate 69 MW by 2022.
Reference- The Tribune