Govt schools could soon have rooftop solar panels

Government schools in Delhi may soon be lit with solar power, as the Aam Aadmi Party-led government is considering a proposal to set up photo-voltaic panels on rooftops of all its school buildings. The move will give momentum to the Delhi government's flagship programme to make the national Capital a solar city. The government, in its Solar Policy, targets to generate 2,000 MW electricity through solar power by 2025. Officials said the proposal to light up Delhi schools with solar energy was ready and would be implemented soon.

"In the initial phase, solar panels will be set up on the rooftops of 25-30 school buildings in the city in the next few months," confirmed a Delhi government official, who refused to be named as the policy is still under wraps. "In this manner, initially the government is eyeing power generation of 20-30 MW solar electricity. After successful implementation of this project, the government will extend it further," the official added.

He further said the government is of the view of that maximum utilisation should be made of school buildings in generating solar power and they should be turned into "green buildings". Explaining why the government was targeting school buildings, the official said such structures were best for solar power as they contain a larger expanse of shadow free area. "Most of the government schools buildings have big flat rooftops and do not have parapet wall, which gives larger expanse of shadow free area giving maximum exposure of solar panels to the sun. This condition is congenial for solar power generation." He clarified that residential buildings had less expanse of shadow free area because of parapet walls, water tanks and other constructions on rooftops. According to Delhi's Solar Policy, deployment of solar panels on government and public institutions is mandatory. The policy says that government or public sector buildings constitute one fourth of the total solar power potential of the city. The Delhi government had last year notified the "Delhi Solar Energy Policy" to rapidly develop decentralised renewable energy sources, especially solar, and reduce its current dependence on unsustainable and centralised fossil fuel energy. It says the city is blessed with almost 300 sunny days and the rooftop space available for solar panels is estimated to be 31 sq km, giving Delhi a solar energy potential of 2,500 MW. The government has also released the list of empanelled companies so that domestic consumers can get solar photo-voltaic panels on their rooftops and avail 30 per cent subsidy offered by the government. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Management Centre, which comes under the Department of Power of the Delhi government, is responsible for promotion of renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy conservation in the Capital.