SOLAR LIGHTING FOR FLATS PROPOSED

The Hindu, July 25, 2005

Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA) plans to extend mandatory installation of solar water heating and lighting systems to multi-storeyed apartments.

At present, solar water heaters are mandatory in commercial establishments measuring more than 5,000 sq ft.

These include, hospitals, hotels, lodges and marriage halls.

Besides, residential buildings of above 1,500 sq ft must also install the heaters.

Plan approval

Building plans for new structures are now approved only if provisions are made for solar heating systems, after a Government Order to that effect in 2003.

"We have drafted a proposal to the Government to make solar lighting mandatory in the common areas such as stairs in apartments.

"As there are flats measuring even 2,000 sq ft, solar water heaters can be made mandatory in these also," the TEDA Chairman and Managing Director, K. Allaudin, told presspersons here on Friday. Response to Government order was good so far. In Tirunelveli, 60 building approval applicants had offered to install the heaters.

Mr. Allaudin said 20 of them had completed the buildings and installed the heaters.

He, however, said climate was vital for enforcement. "We cannot expect people in Chennai to bathe in hot water throughout the year, given the hot climate. So the response in Karnataka cannot be compared with the one in Tamil Nadu."

So far the focus was on application of renewable energy in rural areas.

From this year, the Union Government was keen on solar lighting in parks, playgrounds, traffic signals, blinkers and studs on road medians.

Wind energy

Against last year's generation of 650 MW of wind energy in the State, Mr. Allaudin said it could be around 450 MW this year.

On problems faced by wind energy producers last year to sell the power they generated, Mr. Allaudin said that there was a sharp rise in generation from the 340 MW in 2003.

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board's grid capacity was not upgraded to take in such a rise.