India to develop Hamirpur and Shimla as solar cities

In a recent development, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, India's Minister of New and Renewable Energy, has proposed the development Hamirpur and Shimla in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh as solar cities.

The plan also includes the development of solar parks at the Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry at Noni in the Solan district, and at National Institute of Technology at Hamirpur. The decision to develop solar power in the state was taken at a high-level meeting between Abdullah and Prem Kumar Dhumal, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.

In Hamirpur and Shimla, Abdullah has proposed financial assistance to convert the energy systems at the government secretariat Raj Bhavan and other public buildings to solar power. Himachal Pradesh has several places of religious interest, and the government plans to utilise solar power to address their energy needs.

The government also plans to launch the "Griha" scheme in the state, which will help develop high-quality solar power equipment and infrastructure for commercial and domestic use. Himachal Pradesh, which is endowed with natural resources, is also identifying projects to develop its 23,185-megawatt (MW) hydropower potential. At present, only 10 per cent of this potential is being tapped.

India also has identified 60 locations to roll out solar cities during the 11th five-year plan period, 2007-12. The cities of Chandigarh and Nagpur are expected to be model cities. Nagpur in Maharashtra, touted to be the first solar city, is expected to be "solar ready" by 2012. A solar city will implement energy-efficient technologies and fulfill at least 10 per cent of its energy demand from renewable energy sources.

The Ministry for New and Renewable Energy will bear 50 per cent of the expense to develop the solar city, while the remainder will be contributed by the municipal corporation and the state government. Financial assistance of USD102,798 per city from the ministry will be provided as follows:

•USD20,560 for preparation of a master plan.

•USD20,560 for making funding arrangements with financial institutions.

•USD41,118 toward creating awareness, promotions and capacity building.

•USD20,560 toward oversight expenses in implementation.

In a solar city, solar energy will be used to provide street and garden lighting, traffic signals, water heating, hoarding and other public lighting. While the concept of "green buildings" will be promoted aggressively, each solar city will target at least 50 MW of solar power generation.

India, which has about 300 days of sunshine in a year, is expected to announce the USD19 billion "National Solar Policy" in November. The policy is expected to provide impetus to the development of solar power in the country. Industry experts say that the policy is likely to extend huge benefits, rebates and incentives to producers and users of solar power. The three-pronged solar mission aims to generate 20,000 MW of solar power by the year 2020. The policy will focus on encouraging domestic production of solar equipment by reducing manufacturing costs. There are plans to make solar lighting compulsory in public buildings, hotels and hospitals.

Small towns and cities will be provided with micro-financing options to boost the implementation of solar power schemes. Support and incentives will be provided for research and development of new solar technologies. The government is also likely to unveil a payment system for buying surplus power from commercial and domestic users of solar power. The implementation of the mission is expected to help India reduce about 42 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions.