Open House: What more steps should be taken to encourage people to install solar power panels on their houses?

It is possible house owners have difficulty finding efficient contractors to undertake the project of installing solar panels which is why the administration, in order to expedite the installation, should appoint contractors and bill the owners. Banks should also extend loans because not everybody can afford the expense.

N P S Sohal

Question for next week

The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) is facing a financial crisis. The Mayor plans to convene a special meeting to discuss the civic body’s ailing financial health. What measures should the MC take to increase its revenue and reduce expenses?

Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to openhouse@tribunemail.com

Admn should offer more incentives

Solar energy is the best alternative to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, thereby reducing global warming. While it is advisable to install solar panels on the roofs of houses, the fact is that it is the owner’s decision. In order to persuade people the administration should offer incentives like subsidy, rebate on income tax etc. Besides, one should also factor in problems that owners could face in the installation of these panels for example some may slope poorly, might require chopping of trees for sunlight etc.

Capt Amar Jeet, Kharar

Organise awareness campaigns in UT

To encourage installations of rooftop solar panels the government could offer financial incentives like subsidies or tax rebates. Additionally, launching awareness campaigns to highlight long-term savings and environmental benefits. Partnering with local companies for discounted installations and introducing community solar projects can further motivate residents. Simplifying the approval process and offering low-interest loans would remove barriers and make adoption easier.

Gaganpreet Singh, Mohali

Offer tax rebates on installation

To boost adoption of solar panel, the UT Administration should offer subsidies, rebates on property taxes and low-interest loans. Streamline permit processes, provide pre-approved vendor lists and technical installation assistance. Organise workshops, door-to-door campaigns and social media promotions. Recognise ‘Solar Champions’ and offer green building awards. Implement net metering, ensure solar-friendly infrastructure and impose gradual fines on non-compliant residents. Collaborate with NGOs and private companies to promote solar solutions.

Gurdev singh, Mohali

Introduce educational programme in schools

To encourage the adoption of solar panels, the administration should consider free or discounted electricity for residents generating excess energy. Give priority parking and toll passes to electric/hybrid vehicle owners. Build solar-powered community centres and public spaces. Introduce educational programmes in schools, highlighting the benefits of using solar power. Create a solar installation incentive programme for low-income households. Host solar-themed events and exhibitions. Offer property tax reductions and develop a mobile app for tracking production.

Gurpreet Kaur, Mohali

Streamline process of obtaining permit

To boost solar panel adoption, the UT Administration should offer incentives like free electricity for excess energy generated, discounted property taxes and low-interest loans. Streamline permit processes, provide pre-approved vendors’ lists, and technical assistance. Organise workshops, door-to-door campaigns and social media promotions. Recognise people for adopting solar energy. Implement net metering, solar-friendly infrastructure and fines for non-compliance.

Sahibpreet singh, Mohali

Provide free consultations

To boost solar panel adoption, the administration should offer financial incentives, simplify the installation process and launch awareness campaigns. Additionally, they should showcase successful installations to inspire others and provide free consultations to address concerns and misconceptions.

Sargunpreet Kaur, Mohali

Notices should be last resort

To encourage people to install solar panels more subsidy should be given. Seminars/lectures should be held to share the benefits of solar panels in saving on electricity bills and for the environment. Motivation and persuasion can encourage residents to install solar panels on rooftops. Serving notices should be the last resort.

Harminder Singh Dhanoa, CHD

Make installation compulsory for all

Installation of solar panels should be made compulsory not only for one kanal and larger houses, but also for other residential, commercial and institutional buildings. The UT Administration should set an example by providing subsidies as well as providing periodical maintenance to encourage solar power use.

Col TBS Bedi

Sending notices to residents illegal

The decision to send notices to residents to install solar panels is arbitrary and illegal. The cost of installing solar panels is in lakhs and the subsidy only covers half the amount. Those who applied for subsidies are still waiting to get the amount. The whole scheme is skewed in the favour of solar panel sellers and not the people. Panels have to be changed every ten years. Who shall pay the recurring expense of installing panels every decade? The administration is giving just a one-time subsidy, leaving residents to bear the cost of all future installations. Our MP and his rival in the recent elections criticised the move, yet such notices were issued.

Gurnoor Grewal, Chandigarh

Supply panels from govt sources

At present a 6 kw system costs 3 to 3.5 lakh, excluding the subsidy (Rs 78,000). Because of the involvement of various intermediaries it costs approximately Rs 1 to 1.50 lakh more to residents. This extra expenditures pinches the common man, discouraging them from adopting solar power. The government should bulk purchase solar kits and supply these to needy households at nominal rates. This arrangement will result in quality material, installation and encourage public to adopt solar power.

Ashok Kumar Goel, Panchkula

Release pending subsidies

The UT Administration should start with releasing pending subsidies to the residents who have already installed solar panels under the first phase of the Renewable Energy Ministry’s rooftop solar programme. Coupled with this, the DC-cum-estate officer should take action against defaulters and issue property resumption notices to owners who have failed to comply with the mandate to install solar power plants with a plot. Meanwhile, the secretary, of urban planning, at UT should expedite the process of further amending bylaws, reducing the plot size requirement for mandatory solar installation from 500 square yards to 250 square yards.

BRIG ADVITYA MADAN, CHANDIGARH

Install panels in city’s common areas

Citizens need to be educated about long-term savings, environment benefits and government incentives with installation of solar panels. Existing success stories should be highlighted with good subsidies to reduce the upfront costs with tax benefits and low interest loans. Approval and monitoring process be streamlined with fair net metering policy after selling excess power back to the grid. Installation in common areas like societies, commercial buildings and upcoming builder projects should be mandatory.

Harinder Singh Bhalla, Chandigarh

Offer interest-free loans to residents

To transform Chandigarh into a self-sufficient city, solar panel installation should be mandatory and not just for one-kanal houses. The administration should incentivise households by offering free electricity to those who install panels. For those unable to afford the installation, interest-free or low-interest loans without collateral should be provided. On remaining houses, the administration can install panels and charge the consumers over time.

Vijay Katyal , Panchkula

Increase subsidy on solar energy units

Subsidy on solar panels must be increased and charges like the structures to fix these panels should be borne by the administration. This scheme should also will be launched for smaller houses. In my view, 10/15 marla houses are more suitable for installations because their upper structures are connected to each other. Mostly these houses are triple storied and longer roofs with a vast area for panels is available.

Anokh singh Kahlon

Adopt eco-friendly options

These days solar panels have become the most convenient means of catering to one’s electricity needs. No doubt, the initial investment is high but the returns are higher. Citizens cannot rely on transmission electricity for long, especially because it is exhaustible and costly. Solar panels help meet household electricity requirements at affordable rates. A little more awareness through campaigning and provision of subsidy is the need of the hour. Citizens should actively come forward to initiate this eco-friendly programme.

MALKEET KAUR VIRK, PATIALA

Ration electricity from thermal plants

The installation cost of solar panels will and the inability of people to pay for the initial investment, including the long break-even time and low confidence on the performance of the system are the key reasons for the reluctance of people in adopting solar panels. Senior citizens are the worst affected by the threats of notices being served. Instead of threatening residents the administration should bring out a lucrative scheme. Strict administrative measures are understandable for government buildings, industries, institutions, businesses and new constructions of all sizes, including services like street and park lights etc. Rationing of electricity supplied from thermal plants can be considered to achieve targets of lower carbon emission.

D P Singh, Chandigarh

Develop solar mapping tools

The administration should develop one solar mapping tools to help people asses the suitability of their rooftops for solar panels. Workshops should be conducted with installation demos, seminars and online campaigns to educate people about the benefits of using solar energy to dispel common misconceptions. case studies and testimonials should be shared to inspire others. Financial incentives should be offered on installing solar panels.

N K GUGLANI, CHANDIGARH

Explore areas for setting up panels

The UT Administration must explore areas that have the potential of having solar panels installed like lakes, gardens and factories’ rooftops. Subsidy for individual residents should be increased to attract more people.

SANJAY CHOPRA , MOHALI

Provide installation facility on payment

Houses spread over a one kanal area or more are mostly occupied by senior citizens, who live alone. They are not in a condition to take the headache of installing solar panels. The government should provide the facility of installation with proper infrastructure, labour and other requirements to those who want it. This will attract more residents.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

Assign subject matter experts, vendors

The UT Administration must provide subsidy to house owners. Similarly, they should publish the merits of the project to convince people to install this infrastructure on their houses. This will save residents a considerable amount on electricity bills, but the owners should be given more time tostudy the feasibility of the project for themselves. The government should assign subject matter experts to undertake such works through dedicated vendors and an annual maintenance contract (AMC) should also be ensured to run the facility trouble-free even after commissioning.

Vijay shukla, chandigarh

Take action over non-compliance

In accordance with Chandigarh building bylaws it is mandatory to install solar panels atop roofs of one kanal and larger houses, the government is also planning to extend the rule to 10 marla houses. But despite offering subsidy the scheme has received a cold shoulder from the residents. To combat this the government should make people aware that the surplus power generated will be bought back by the Electricity Department. The administration should disconnect conventional power supply of residents who do not comply with the order of installing solar panels.

SS Arora,Mohali

Give incentives, not notices, to people

People should be encouraged to install solar panels on the roofs of their houses through ‘carrot’ (incentives, special facilities) rather than ‘stick’ (serving notices for violation). There is ambiguity in the minds of residents about the scheme. A dedicated team should be made to clear their doubts. Interaction with the residents through RWAs can help get a positive response, too. People should be educated about the benefits of the scheme. The administration should install solar panels on offices, buildings, schools, colleges and other places, falling under their jurisdiction.

Rajeev Kumar, CHANDIGARH

Open kiosks to address concerns

The government should set up kiosks across the city to guide people about process of solar panel installation and charges. They should also increase the subsidy and rebate.

Avinash Goyal, Chandigarh