Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 10

UT Adviser Dharam Pal inaugurated a 250kWp solar power plant each at Government Model High School-I and Government Model High School-II, Maloya, here today.

Arun Kumar Gupta, Principal Secretary, Science and Technology and Renewable Energy, and Debendra Dalai, Director, Science and Technology and Renewable Energy, and CEO, CREST, UT, were also present on the occasion.

These solar plants have been installed on the rooftop and the parking area of the schools at a cost of Rs2.2 crore, which includes operation and maintenance cost for 10 years and executed by the Chandigarh Renewable Energy Science & Technology Promotion Society (CREST). These plants would generate approximately 6,50,000 units of electricity annually.

The chief guest appreciated the efforts taken by CREST in developing Chandigarh as a model solar city. He appreciated the lead taken by CREST in installing 45MWp solar rooftop plants on government buildings as well as private buildings, including residential houses, in the city so far.

The installation of new solar power plants will reduce the electricity bill of both schools and also generate revenue for the UT after transfer of excess electricity generated by the solar power plant to the grid of Electricity Department, UT. The payback period of the solar power system installed will be approximately six years.

The Adviser also interacted with the students attending offline classes at Maloya schools to take their feedback on the Covid protocol being followed during the classes.

The function was attended by Dr Abdul Qayum, Additional CEO, CREST, Rubinderjit Singh Brar, Director Higher Education, UT, school principal and officers from the Administration.