Can an Entire City be Powered by Solar Energy?
Electricity demand in Indian towns and cities is growing as a result of rapid urbanisation and changing lifestyles. Many utilities are having trouble keeping up with increasing power demands, especially during the summer months when air-conditioning loads from offices in the afternoon and residences at night are high. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) launched the Development of Solar Cities program in February 2008, recognizing solar power as a possible solution to this issue. Although solar power cannot satisfy all of a city’s power needs, it can certainly help meet some of it, easing the burden on utilities and consumers.
Development of Solar Cities
The selected solar cities, according to the MNRE’s program, aim to reduce projected conventional energy demand by 10% in five years through a combination of renewable and energy efficiency initiatives, with an emphasis on solar energy. The program helps urban local governments to work in this direction and assists them in developing solar city roadmaps and master plans.
The program also aids in the development of capability and the formation of institutional partnerships. In addition, depending on the population and measures taken by the city administration, financial assistance of up to 50 lakhs is given per city.
Cities Powered by Solar Energy – Can it be a Reality?
Solar energy has been adopted by the Fujisawa Smart Town in Japan, as well as more than 26 cities in the United States, including Los Angeles, San Diego, and Phoenix. Diu Smart City is the first city in India to operate entirely on green energy during the day. The city has built a 9-MW solar park on 50 hectares of rocky barren ground, as well as solar panels on the roofs of 79 government buildings, which generate 1.3 MW per year. The Diu electricity department has been able to reduce power tariffs by around 12% thanks to these rows and rows of panels. This project ensures that the sun powers all resorts with central air conditioning, Diu’s 60-bed hospital, government offices, air-conditioned office buildings, and the ice factories and fish warehouses, which are the island’s key power-consuming industries, during the day. The island’s vast swaths of barren and rocky government land, combined with a low population density and good solar exposure (only two months of cloudy weather per year), made it suitable for solar power plant construction.
Benefits of Solar Cities
Due to its favorable climate and geographical location, India, in particular, stands to benefit greatly from solar energy. Some parts experience sunny days for the majority of the year. In India’s urban growth, solar energy is receiving a concerted policy push. Solar power generation capabilities, especially via rooftop photovoltaic systems that directly generate electricity from sunlight, have already been drawn up in master plans for 50 solar cities. They will also be fitted with solar-powered water heaters, street lamps, water-lifting pumps, steam-based cooking concentrators, and traffic signals.
The bottom line is that cities going solar is the best step forward for the Earth as a whole. Change begins at home. So switching your home to solar energy is the right approach. Freyr Energy is here to assist you in seamlessly making your home solar-powered. With the government offering incentives in many states, and setting renewable energy goals for India, there has never been a better time to invest in solar energy. Solar power is the most sustainable option for all of your energy needs because of its economic and environmental benefits. Invest in a solar rooftop system today for more savings, better operation, and a better way of life!