The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) has unveiled the first-ever cloud based open-source Web-GIS Tool for estimating rooftop solar power potential for Indian solar cities.
The main objective of this initiative is to develop a high performing and flexible Web-GIS tool to estimate the rooftop solar power potential for Indian cities. The web-GIS tool will be launched in Chandigarh followed by other cities.
This initiative is being supported by Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation (SSEF), with strategic support from the Chandigarh Renewable Energy Science and Technology Promotion Society (CREST), the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
Speaking at the lauch of the tool, Punjab Governor, Shivraj Patil said solar energy was revolutionising the world. Countries were investing in this sector because it was beneficial to the environment and also saves on energy costs. “We have taken a decision to install rooftop solar energy devices in government buildings in Chandigarh to become a model solar city. The government was already providing subsidies to the private sector to produce renewable energy,” he added.
Leena Srivastava, Vice-Chancellor, TERI University and Honorary Executive Director, The Energy and Resources Institute, said a close look at the international trends clearly indicated that rooftop solar PV systems were here to stay. In Germany, about 25 per cent of energy generation comes from solar power and other countries too are investing in renewable energy. “We have to face the challenges thrown up by this sector by investing in innovations while creating the right environment for policy regulatory frameworks. We need coping strategies to deal with erratic and ineffective power systems with enabling mechanisms. It is important to bring the various stakeholders together, including local institutions, to take the process forward,” she added.
