PUNJAB POWERS 4238 GOVT SCHOOLS WITH SOLAR ENERGY, GENERATE 2.89-CR UNITS CLEAN ELECTRICITY ANNUALLY

• Aman Arora shares PEDA’s ambitious plan of installing 100 MW solar PV panels on Govt buildings in next two FYs

Chandigarh, March 27:

In a significant step towards promoting renewable energy and reducing reliance on conventional energy sources in the state, Punjab New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister Mr. Aman Arora today informed the house in Punjab Vidhan Sabha that a total of 4238 Government School buildings have already been equipped with solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with 21.19 MW installed capacity and producing 2.89 crore units clean electricity annually.

In a reply to Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, MLA from Sanour constituency in Punjab Vidhan Sabha today on repair of solar plants installed on Govt school buildings, Mr. Aman Arora explained that the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) has established a five-year annual maintenance contract (AMC) with installation vendors. As per the agreement, vendors must conduct quarterly inspections and address any technical issues within 72 hours of receiving complaints. 

Mr. Aman Arora categorically mentioned that a stern action would be taken against the erring vendors. He further said that the AMC of initial 880 schools will expire in May 2026 and PEDA can further extend the AMC for the remaining life of 20 years of the rooftop solar power plants subject to payment of AMC charges by the Punjab School Education Board.

He informed that the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) has made significant strides in promoting renewable energy, with the installation of 34 MW capacity rooftop solar panels on government buildings. To further accelerate this effort, PEDA has placed work orders for an additional 2.70 MW under the CAPEX mode.

Moreover, PEDA has ambitious plans to set up 100 MW capacity solar PV panels on government buildings over the next two financial years. This initiative is part of Punjab's broader goal to transition to renewable energy sources and reduce its carbon footprint, he added.