Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Saturday, Dec 06, 2003
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Saturday, Dec 06, 2003 |
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Industry & Economy
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Non-conventional Energy TN: Solar water heaters made mandatory in buildings Our Bureau
Chennai , Dec. 5 BUILDERS will now have to provide solar-powered water heaters in their construction projects with the Tamil Nadu Government making it mandatory for new buildings. The order announced in August 2002, is to be enforced from now. It covers all cities and towns since it applies to municipalities and corporations, according Mr K. Allaudin, Chairman and Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency, a state-run nodal agency that encourages the use of non-coventional energy sources. He was addressing a seminar organised here on Friday by the agency to increase public awareness about the order. Solar powered water heaters are mandatory in commercial buildings larger than 500 sq.m. and residences larger than 150 sq.m. The order also covers hospitals, hotels, guesthouses and educational institutions. He urged that the Government should give guidelines on the capacity of heater depending on the size of the building. The energy development agency is providing solar powered lights to villages, especially those in remote areas. Local bodies are opting for solar powered streetlights to bring down the electricity bill. The State generates about 15 per cent of its total power from non-conventional sources such as wind and agricultural waste compared to the national average of four per cent. Mr P. Radhakrishna, Regional Director, Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources, said that the order has far-reaching consequences in terms of saving on conventional fuel, pollution prevention, and employment and business generation. The order covers 611 towns, 102 municipalities and six corporations where it would apply to 14,012 primary health centres, 2,225 marriage halls and 5,025 hotels. Totally, in the next six months over 160-lakh litres capacity of solar heaters would be needed. This will generate about Rs 200-crore worth of business and employment, save 4-5 lakh tonnes of coal and prevent corresponding levels of pollution. He suggested that the State Government should consider extending support to the equipment manufacturers to advertise their product. This would encourage branding and quality consciousness.
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