India is unlikely to reach its rooftop solar power generation target of 40 GW by 2022
ABSENCE OF policy could make India miss its solar rooftop pow-er generation target. In 2015, the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) announced its plan to generate 100 gigawatt (GW) solar power by 2022. Of this, 40 GW was to be through solar rooftop systems. But till March 2017, the country has installed only 0.67 GW of solar rooftop capacity, shows MNRE data (see ‘Slow start’).
To promote the use of renewable energy in buildings, the Union government released model building by-laws and amended the Environmental Impact Assessment (eia) Notification, 2006, in 2016. The eia notification states that all new buildings constructed on above 5,000 sq m built-up area must have at least 1 per cent of the sanctioned load from renewable energy sources. The model building by-laws mandate that all new buildings on plot sizes above 100 sq m need to install solar photovoltaic panels atop buildings.
“But the problem is that all the regulations are for new buildings. Existing buildings or those whose construction started before 2016 are not covered,” says Aruna Kumarankandath, programme manager at Delhi-based non-profit Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). On an average, conceptualising, designing, getting approvals/ clearances and construction of buildings takes three to five years. In five years, India would have missed the target it set for itself.
This story is from the August 16, 2017 edition of Down To Earth.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 16, 2017 edition of Down To Earth.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A SPRIG TO CARE FOR
Punarnava, a perennial herb, is easy to grow and has huge health benefits
DIGGING A DISASTER
Soapstone mining near Dabti Vijaypur village has caused many residents to migrate.
REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient
MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE
As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production
Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?
Anusandhan National Research Foundation is expected to reorient India's innovation goals but funding issues, old mindsets remain a drag
TROUBLED WOODS
Forests are a great bulwark against climate change. But this is fast changing. AKSHIT SANGOMLA travels through some of the pristine patches of the Western Ghats to explore how natural disturbances triggered by global warming now threaten the forest health
BLINDING GLOW
The science is clear: increased illumination has damaging consequences for the health of humans, animals and plants. It’s time governments introduced policies to protect the natural darkness and improved the quality of outdoor lighting.
GROUND REALITY
What happens when the soil loses the ability to grow healthy, high-yield crops on its own?
GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC
On July 23, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to develop a national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce through public consultation.
Vinchurni's Gandhi
A 96-year-old farmer transforms barren land into a thriving forest in drought-prone region of Satara
