The Hindu 07.04.2013
Efforts to boost solar energy generation in State
With special focus on solar energy, the State government
has come out with the Tamil Nadu Solar Energy Policy 2012 and also
taken several other measures to boost solar energy generation in the
State.
At a meeting organised by the Indian Chamber
of Commerce and Industry, Coimbatore, here on Saturday, Electricity
Minister Natham R. Viswanathan said that all new government buildings
would go in for solar energy. Houses constructed under the Green House
Scheme also went in for solar power. Further, the government was
installing one lakh solar street lights.
According to
the policy, all solar or solar-wind hybrid systems installed on roof
tops by domestic consumers before the end of March next year would get
generation-based incentive. The Centre gave 30 per cent subsidy for
minimum 1 kw systems.
Industries could invest in
solar energy parks. The Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA) was
the single window system to get all clearances. The TEDA would help the
investing units identify land for the solar park. The government would
create evacuation facilities and the investors could opt to sell the
power generated to the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution
Corporation (Tangedgo) or through the open access system. Those into
manufacture of solar equipment and accessories were eligible for several
concessions.
The target was to have 3,000 MW of
solar energy generation capacity in the State in three years. Of this,
the target for this year was 1,000 MW and bids had come for 260 MW. It
would be possible to achieve the target with improving awareness of the
scheme, he said.
In the case of solar energy
obligation for high tension and commercial tariff consumers, it was
three per cent for this year and six per cent next year. The target was
fixed after studying the feasibility. If the industries were unable to
generate the required solar energy, the Tangedco would be able to buy it
and supply to the industries at the purchase rate, he said.
Coimbatore
Mayor S.M. Velusamy said that Coimbatore was one of the solar cities
identified in the country. The local body planned to go in for 2 MW
solar energy generation.
Former president of the
chamber Mahendra Ramdass sought reduction in the solar power obligation
for industries this year and said that the evacuation infrastructure
should be improved in the State.
Chamber president
R.R. Balasundaram said that the chamber welcomed the solar energy policy
of the government. Provisions for solar systems should be included in
the planning stage in buildings of about 2,000 sq.ft. or more, he
suggested.
