Sunday, December 20, 2009

Guwahati on Centre’s Solar City agenda

Guwahati, Dec 20: Guwahati is among 34 cities selected by the Union Ministry for New and Renewable Energy to be developed as Solar City. The other cities of the region include those in Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura.

The Solar City aims to meet a minimum of 10 % of its projected demand for conventional energy at the end of five years through energy efficiency measures and generation from renewable energy installations. This information was given by Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Dr Farooq Abdullah in the Lok Sabha recently.

The criteria set by the Ministry for identification of cities include a city population between 0.5 and 5 million (with relaxation given to special category States, including those of the North-East ), initiatives and regulatory measures already taken along with a high level of commitment to promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy.

The Minister said proposals were invited from all states and Union territories for development of Solar Cities and given approval based on the proposals received as per guidelines. A total of 60 cities will be developed as Solar Cities.

It may be mentioned, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has been providing Central assistance of Rs 30 per watt peak of solar photovoltaic (SPV) array capacity used in the solar water pumping system, subject to a maximum of Rs 50,000 per system for its installation for community drinking water supply, agriculture and related uses in the country. The SPV water pumping programme is implemented through the state renewable energy development agencies and the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA). THE SENTINEL

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