Tool to estimate rooftop solar power launched

New Delhi: The Energy and Resource Institute Wednesday launched the world`s first tool named "WEB-GIS" to estimate the rooftop solar power potential for Indian solar cities, said an institute official.

The main objective of the initiative is to develop a high performing and flexible WEB-GIS tool to estimate the rooftop solar power potential in cities. Chandigarh will be the first city where the tool will be launched followed by others. Speaking on the occasion, Leena Srivastava, vice chancellor of TERI University and director of the institute, said solar energy is revolutionising the world and countries are investing in this sector because it is beneficial to the environment and also saves energy costs. "India has to face the challenges thrown up by this sector by investing in innovations while creating the right environment for policy regulatory frameworks," Srivastava said. "We need coping strategies to deal with erratic and ineffective power systems with enabling mechanisms," she added. The initiative is supported by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). According to the ministry, the solar city aims at minimum 10 percent reduction in projected demand of conventional energy at the end of five years through a combination of enhancing supply from renewable energy sources in the city and energy efficiency measures. The basic aim is to motivate the local governments to adopt renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency measures.