Chandigarh was ranked as the best UT in solar power installation at a ceremony hosted by the Association of Renewable Energy Agencies of States (AREAS), which was established by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, on its 8th Foundation Day Ceremony in Cochin, Kerala.
The Chandigarh renewable energy, science and technology promotion society (CREST) was also recognized for having the second-highest renewable energy capacity as of March 31st. They were also recognized for adding the second most solar power capacity between 2021 and 2022, as well as installing the second most solar streetlights as of March 31.
CREST has set a target of 75MWp for August 15, 2023 under the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. In terms of achievement, Chandigarh has already installed and commissioned grid-connected rooftop solar plants with an aggregate capacity of 50.588 MWp at 4,200 sites.
According to Debendra Dalai, secretary science and technology and renewable energy-cum-CEO CREST, there are many unique projects in the pipeline, including a 2 MWp floating SPV power plant at Water Works, Sector-39, a 2 MWp canal-top SPV power plant at N-Choe in front of Garden of Conifers, Sector-52, a 2 MWp canal-top SPV power plant at Patiala Ki Rao, and a 500 kWp