SDMC inks pact with SECI to install solar panels on buildings

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked between the SDMC and the (Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited) SECI on Monday to engage with the later for setting up the Solar Power Plants.

According to the officials, the South Corporation will implement grid-connected rooftop solar PV projects on the terraces of its buildings/offices as well as ground-mounted solar PV systems as a part of its renewable energy initiative which helped the Corporation to move an important step forward towards the generation of 20 MW solar power. 

Both the parties have agreed to collaborate, identify and develop potential sites for execution of solar power projects. “Initially the Corporation has entered into an MoU for two years of solar power generation out of which 10 MW on rooftops of buildings and the remaining will be on vacant lands. Expenditure made by the civic agency will be recovered over time with the savings in electricity bills and by selling it to private players,” said P K Goel, SDMC Commissioner.

The Commissioner stated that the expenditure to be made by the SDMC will be recovered over time with the savings in electricity bills and by selling excess power. “Initially, the solar power generation will be taken up on nearly 400 Municipal buildings including schools, hospitals, community halls, M&CW Centres etc. The whole solar electricity generated on rooftops will be used by the MCD offices whereas, the entire solar energy generated from the spare vacant lands will be sold to the discoms. 

“The SDMC will also be benefited by availing the achievement-linked incentive scheme launched recently by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy which offers upto 25 per cent incentive on the standard project cost in case 100 per cent target is achieved. The project will help in curbing pollution as coal-based thermal generation will be restricted,” the Commissioner added.

Mayor Shyam Sharma said: “This is a project of paramount importance which will go a long way in generating green energy and sell the excess generated power to the discoms. The project is in tune with the solar mission launched by the Prime Minister. The commissioning of the project will benefit the civic agency by substantial amount per year as there will be huge savings on electricity bills. Further, the dependence on the power discoms will be eliminated.”