Chandigarh to become a 'Solar City'

By siliconindia   |   Thursday, 09 July 2009, 23:03 IST   |    1 Comments
Printer Print Email Email
Chandigarh to become a 'Solar City'
Bangalore: Chandigarh Administration is planning to convert the city into a 'Solar City' in an attempt to go green. The draft report submitted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) has recommended energy efficiency measures for 20 percent of the residential and commercial sectors of the city. According to the draft plan finalised by the Chandigarh Renewable Energy Science and Technology Promotion Society (CREST) and the Department of Science and Technology, certain changes have been recommended for the commercial, residential and government buildings. A 'Solar City Cell' will also be established within the Municipal Corporation, to design energy efficient buildings. While the short-term impact of energy conservation and reduction of greenhouse gases will start showing up by 2012, the long-term impact would be visible by 2018. Now, the plan will be submitted to Union Territory (UT) Administrator General (Retd.) SF Rodrigues for approval. After that it will be forwarded to the Centre for the final nod. The project will be funded by the Government of India, with a matching grant by the Administration or the Municipal Corporation, depending on who takes up the project as the Nodal Agency. According to budget estimates, the Administration would require Rs 30 to 35 crore per year till the completion of the middle-phase (by 2012) of the project. The draft plan also mentions the construction of prototype buildings in the city, which would promote energy conservation.