In the midst of ever increasing demand for electricity and the shortage in power generation, consumers should promote solar energy and install solar powered equipment in their residential and business institutions.The idea was given by Joint Director of Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) Raminder Singh while addressing the seminar held on Saturday on the subject of Solar Rooftop in association with KAS, a German foundation at Punjab International Trade Expo (Pitex).He said that in the current circumstances, time is needed to promote solar energy. The Punjab government also subsidizes the installation of solar powered equipment. He informed that subsidy up to Rs 80,000 is given by the government for the installation of solar plants up to 5 kilowatts. Giving detailed information about the schemes being run by the department, Raminder Singh said that help desks have been setup in all the offices of PEDA for the convenience of common people.He said that while the government is now promoting the solar plant in its institutions, it has immense potential in the private sector.
Addressing the seminar, Simarpreet Singh, chairman of the Power and Renewable Energy Committee of the PHD Chamber and CMD of the Hartek Solar Group, said that awareness campaigns on solar energy need to be conducted. Awareness campaign is being organized in colleges of Punjab and haryana with the support of the Chamber. Simarpreet said that solar energy devices are such that any person can not only become a power producer but can also generate a source of income by selling electricity after using it as per the need. In a special presentation on the occasion, Counselor of Bulgaria Embassy Head of Trade and Economic Affair Ilya Dacov said that many Bulgarian companies operating in the field of solar have spread in India as the demand for solar is increasing rapidly here. PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry monter R.S. Sachdeva gave details of the programs being done to promote Solar. Also present on the occasion were Principal Director of the Chamber Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, Dr. Yogesh Srivastava, besides Senior Manager of Fourth Partner Energy Sachin Sukhija, HDFC Cluster Head Ashu Garg, Tata Power Solar's Manager Rooftop Abhishek Singh.