BRIDGE TO INDIA in collaboration with GREENPEACE will be launching the report ‘Rooftop Revolution: Unleashing Delhi’s Solar Potential’ on 23rd of July 2013, at the India International Centre. The report will be released as a part of Greenpeace’s campaign ‘Switch on the Sun’. The Chief Minister of Delhi, Ms. Sheila Dikshit will launch the report. Many key stakeholders of Delhi’s energy sector will be present at the event. The launch would be followed by a panel discussion on the viability of ‘rooftop solar power generation’ as a solution to Delhi’s energy needs.
- Delhi can be India’s first solar mega city with 2 GW installed capacity by 2020
- The target of 2 GW was reached after assessing rooftop space, economic viability and capacity of grid to handle solar power
- Solar could provide an effective solution to Delhi’s inadequate power needs
‘Rooftop Revolution: Unleashing Delhi’s Solar Potential’ proposes that Delhi can be India’s first solar mega city with 2 GW installed capacity by 2020. The 2 GW target for Delhi has been developed by combining three perspectives. First, by assessing the suitable rooftop space available to accommodate solar installations. Second, by determining the economic viability of solar for different consumer groups and system sizes. Finally, by assessing how much grid-connected solar power Delhi’s grid could handle.
Delhi’s electricity demand has increased by an average of 6% every year within the last decade. From 20 billion units in 2002, the demand in all likelihood will reach over 33 billion units by 2017, a 65% growth. Given India’s growing power deficit, the rising cost of power and Delhi’s rapidly growing power demand, it will be difficult to maintain the current level of supply stability in the years to come. Further, for more than 70% of its power, the city relies on other states, which places Delhi’s power supply in a vulnerable position. The report proposes that solar could provide an effective solution to Delhi’s power needs. A supposed lack of available space for solar PV in the urbanized and congested city has been considered to be a barrier. This report shows that the potential for rooftop-based solar PV systems in Delhi is significant and achievable.
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