In a First for City, Chandigarh to Welcome Three Solar Plants with Robotic Cleaning

Operated by the Municipal Corporation, three material recovery facility (MRF) centres are set to welcome rooftop solar energy power plants. These plants will boast of robotic cleaning equipment. This is a first such initiative for the city. The  project, worth Rs 6.69 cr has received the green signal from Chandigarh Renewal Energy and Science and Technology Promotion Society (Crest) of the UT administration. Each MRF centre will witness the establishment of a 450 kilowatt solar plant. The cumulative capacity will thus stand at 1,350 kilowatts (1.35 megawatt). This will enable the production of close to 5.85 lakh units of power annually.

The yearly revenue from each MRF solar pant is expected to be Rs 29 lakh. The total revenue will be Rs 87 lakh. The Municipal Corporation would get an annual payment of Rs. 26 lakh.

The municipal corporation has set its sights on the installation of solar panel rooftops in each of its buildings in the upcoming fiscal year. It has ambitious plants with regards to solar energy.

CREST initiatives on renewable energy

CREST has been accelerating its efforts continuously to augment renewable energy. Recently, North India’s largest floating solar power plant of 2MWp capacity was unveiled at Chandigarh. The floating solar facility was inaugurated by the Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh, Banwari Lal Purohit.

Last year, in September, the Burial Jail of Chandigarh announced its vision of becoming the first prison in India to be 100 per cent solar-powered. For the said project, Chandigarh Renewal Energy Science and Technology (CREST) was awarded the final tender for the addition of a 210-kilowatt solar power plant to the existing 500 kilowatt unit of the Burail Jail.

In August, Chandigarh’s commitment to renewable energy was also awarded. Chandigarh was adjudged best among the Union Territories with regards to solar power installation in an award function organised under the aegis of Association of Renewable Energy Agencies of States (AREAS). Chandigarh was also awarded the solar installations it had made in the 8th Foundation Day of AREAS celebrated in Cochin, Kerala.

CREST also received an award in the key ceremony for installing the second highest renewable capacity in the country among the UTs as on March 31, 2022.