Rooftop solar power project in a jam, residents in fix

CHANDIGARH:While the deadline fixed by the Estate Office for installing the solar power project set to expire this month, the Electricity Department has stopped giving its nod for the new applications for the installation of the solar panel, citing the reason that the solar regulation approved by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has expired on May 14 this year.

While the deadline fixed by the Estate Office for installing the solar power project set to expire this month, the Electricity Department has stopped giving its nod for the new applications for the installation of the solar panel, citing the reason that the solar regulation approved by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has expired on May 14 this year. 

The new development has created a confusion among the residents. Vivek Bansal, a resident of the Sector 21 said when he applied for the solar panel, the SDO office in Sector 26 refused to approve the application. 

Bansal stated that the officer concerned said the regulations for the solar panel had expired on May 14 and the department has sought the permission from the JERC to extend it one more year. Sources said the JERC has issued the notification on May 15, 2015 for Grid Connected Mounted and Solar Rooftop and metering regulations for the UTs. It has been made clear in the notification that the regulations shall remain in force for 3 years unless revised/ reviewed earlier or extended by the commission. The deadline was extended for one year last time till May 14, 2019. 

Bone of contention 

The Chandigarh administration, in a notification issued in May, 2016, had made installation of rooftop solar power plants mandatory in properties measuring 500 square yard and above and group housing societies. While the solar panel made mandatory in the new houses the owners of the existing houses were given two years to comply with the direction. Chandigarh Renewal Energy, Science and Technology Promotion Society (CREST) has been made the nodal agency for the project. 

The Estate office has already made it clear that that those who fail to install solar power plants till June, 30 will be served notice by the UT estate office  but the refusal of the Electricity Department has put the residents in a fix. RK Garg, an RTI activist, said this was the serious lapse on the concerned departments not to resolve the issue in time. He said that in such situation the department must extend the deadline as it was not residents’ fault in delay of the installation. Dr Abdul Qayum, Additional CEO CREST said that he will look into the matter. 

Centre sets target of 69 MW by 2022 

The Government of India had selected Chandigarh to be developed as a model solar city and set a target of installation of 69 MW solar plants, both at residential and government buildings, by 2022. 

The CREST has already generating 30 MW and working hard to meet the target. The CREST is also providing 30 percent subsidy to the residents to install the solar panel.

Residents a harassed lot

The Estate office has already made it clear that that those who fail to install solar power plants till June, 30 will be served notice by the UT estate office but the refusal of the Electricity Department has confused the residents. RK Garg, an RTI activist, said this was the serious lapse on the concerned departments not to resolve the issue in time.

Source: The Tribune