February 16, 2015: The state of Maharashtra is set to launch a solar policy which includes the concept of setting up solar power parks and helping private players in establishing solar power parks in the state. The policy would also make mandatory to install solar geysers for buildings and solar panels on all of the government buildings in the state.
Chandrashekhar Bavankule, state power minister stated that the government would reveal the maiden state solar policy which would give impetus to renewable energy measures and it would also provide solar pumps to farmers for agricultural purpose. He also said that the state will provide 0.5 million solar pumps to farmers for agricultural use so that it may help in saving subsidy amounts being offered to farmers.
Bavankule added that the state would make mandatory for all the government buildings to install solar panels and also promote installation of LEDs (light emitting diodes) for street lights in order to cut the consumption of electricity on a massive scale. He also stated that the use of alternative devices would also be encouraged along with use of solar energy since Maharashtra receives sunlight for more than 310 days every year. He further added that solar energy is still untapped in the state and harnessing this would reduce the coal-based energy consumption.
The minister also added that the state solar policy would incorporate an important precondition for building solar parks which would in return encourage solar power generation in Maharashtra. He stated that any individual who owns a small piece of land can opt for generating solar power by installing solar panels. The energy generated can then be bought by the state or the local body for various purposes. Solar energy generated will reduce the burden on conventional sources of energy.
