India Plans its First Solar City in Nagpur

The Economic Times/New Delhi/February 18, 2009

Under an ambitious programme of the ministry of new and renewable energy, Nagpur in Maharashtra will be developed as the country's first solar city, it was announced Wednesday.

The orange city Nagpur will become a model solar city by 2012, deriving up to 10 percent of its energy consumption through renewable energy sources and implementing other energy efficiency measures, a government statement said.

The government plans to develop 60 such cities during the 11th Five-Year Plan (2007-12) to meet the increasing electricity demand of cities and promote increased use of renewable energy.

The ministry will bear half of the estimated project cost of Rs.190 million (Rs.19 crore), with the state government or municipal corporation pitching in the rest.

The city can also opt for additional funding from the ministry if the project cost goes beyond the estimates.

Solar energy systems, including street lights, garden lights, traffic lights, hoardings and solar water heaters will be installed in the city. Energy efficient 'green buildings' will also be promoted in large scale.

A target of 50 MW has been set for solar power generation during the 11th plan, which is likely to be achieved.

India receives solar energy equivalent to over 5,000 trillion kilowatt hour per year.

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