GHAZIABAD: The Ghaziabad Development Authority has mandated that developers and property owners allocate space for rooftop solar panel installations in building plans submitted for approval. Officials have stated that any maps not in compliance will be rejected immediately.
As part of the PM Surya Ghar scheme, applicants are also required to pay a refundable fee upon map approval, which will be returned once installation is confirmed during an inspection.
The fee structure is based on plot size: Rs 20,000 for plots between 200 and 500 square meters, Rs 50,000 for plots ranging from 500 to 1,000 square meters, Rs 1 lakh for plots between 1,000 and 5,000 square meters, and Rs 2 lakh for plots larger than 5,000 square meters.
This initiative is part of a larger effort to establish Ghaziabad as a solar city.
Ghaziabad is one of the 18 urban centers recognized under the national solar cities initiative, with a goal of sourcing 10% of its energy from renewable sources by 2027, as reported by the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency.
A 2024 assessment by UPNREDA indicates that Ghaziabad could potentially generate 2,858 MW of solar power. The residential sector accounts for the largest portion at 2,014 MW, with industrial sites at 616 MW, educational institutions at 73 MW, commercial buildings at 107 MW, government offices at 35 MW, and healthcare facilities at 14 MW.
The current peak power demand in the city is between 1,400 MW and 1,600 MW.
Solar energy is approximately 30% less expensive than traditional energy sources. Both the state and central governments are providing subsidies and technical assistance to promote adoption, especially for residential consumers who may struggle with initial installation costs.
Property owners generating surplus power can return it to the grid through net metering, with the excess deducted from their electricity bill, resulting in savings and potential income from sales to the electricity distribution company.
