Solar panels must for multi-storied buildings: Madras HC

Chennai: In an attempt to eradicate the power cuts in the state, the Madras high court on Friday said whenever any approval for multi-storey building is granted, the government should make the installation of Solar Photo Voltaic Panels (SPVP) as mandatory condition, so that the solar power can be generated, which will ease the job of the Tangedco.

“Additional advocate general C.Manishankar would submit that rules are already framed regarding the generation of solar power in the above said manner”, said Justice N.Kirubakaran while passing further interim orders on a contempt application filed by the Tamil Nadu Spinning Mills Associa-tion.

It was also submitted that the Central government was giving subsidy for purchasing of solar panels. In that event, many people will voluntarily come forward to install the solar power generators in their houses and their burden of making electricity payments would also come down. 

Therefore, the installation of the solar power generators was not only in the interest of the Tangedco but also in the interest of the individuals. 

“Thus, the government should take earnest steps to see that the above said scheme is advertised to encourage the people giving information regarding the generation of solar power and the benefits arising out of it. AAG undertakes to get the scheme proposal in this regard”, the judge added.

The judge said advocate S.P.Parthasarathy, appearing for the petitioner would submit that individuals have installed SPVP, which generates solar power on their roof tops for generation of solar energy and they have applied to the Tangedco for net metering. However, net metering has not been given to the individuals. In this regard, thousands of applications were pending before the Tangedco. 

Additional advocate general C.Manishankar sought time to get instructions in this regard, the judge added.

The judge said with regard to the queries raised by this court, the AAG sought some more time to get response. It was brought to the notice of this court that though 400 KV Thappakunda sub station project in Theni District was initiated in the year 2013, the same was yet to be commissioned, in spite of giving various dates for commissioning as revealed by the government of Tamil Nadu wind power association. The counsel for the petitioner submitted that because of non-commissioning of the said sub-stations, 48 lakh units of wind energy was being wasted every day. Solar energy and wind energy were pollution free energies, whereas thermal power and other sources of energy will definitely cause pollution. Therefore, the government should come out to encourage the wind energy generation as well as solar power generations as it was eco-friendly. The AAG sought time to get instructions as to when the said sub-station would be commissioned, the judge added.

Recording the presence of Vikram Kapur, chairman and MD of Tangedco, and Md.Nazimuddin, energy secretary in the court, the judge said the officials have answered satisfactorily to the queries raised by this court and their presence was appreciated. Their further appearance was dispensed with. 

They would submit that there were many projects, which were on the half wing and the government was processing the said proposals. Those details have to be given by way of affidavit in the next hearing, the judge added and posted to October 25, further hearing of the case.