Panel for expediting solar energy project

Aiming to position itself as the leading Union Territory in the PM Surya Ghar Yojana adoption, Chandigarh’s State-Level Coordination Committee (SLCC) convened its second meeting under the chairmanship of Rajeev Verma, Adviser to the UT Administrator. The meeting focused on addressing challenges, improving public awareness, aiming for better coordination between departments and expediting solar energy installations under the PM Surya Ghar.

Saurabh Kumar, Secretary, Science and Technology and Renewable Energy, briefed the committee on the success of the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign launched after the first SLCC meeting in September 2024.

The campaign included promotional slogans and the PM Surya Ghar portal URL on electricity bills, along with pamphlet distribution and jingles to promote the scheme.

The adviser emphasised continuation of these efforts to bridge the gap between applications and installations, ensuring comprehensive public awareness in a notable suggestion. The Finance Secretary proposed broadcasting the scheme jingles on Municipal Corporation garbage collection vehicles to further amplify outreach.

The Adviser instructed the Chandigarh Electricity Department (CED) to expedite meter testing procedures and directed the Secretary, Engineering, to have NABL testing labs empanelled at the earliest.

CREST, meanwhile, pledged to ensure 100% solar power saturation in government buildings by December 31 as part of its efforts to meet targets set by the Government of India.

Officials shared that Chandigarh has achieved an installation rate of 0.15%, ranking second among Union Territories, just behind Lakshadweep.