Solar walkways, car ports & tree installations planned
Shahin Bepari Lambe
Panaji: The state is set to roll out an Urban Photovoltaic (UPV) project across Panaji at an estimated cost of Rs 5.48 crore, with plans to generate renewable energy through solar installations on existing urban infrastructure instead of acquiring additional land for large solar parks.
Four locations across the city have been identified for the installations. A 115.8 kWp solar sheltered walking shed will be developed at the Mandovi riverfront, while a 25 kWp Solar Tree installation will come up along the Ponte de Linhares Causeway at Ribandar. A 135.6 kWp solar sheltered car port has been proposed near Dr Jack De Sequeira Road in Miramar. Another site has also been identified as part of the wider UPV infrastructure planned across Panaji.
Public infrastructure such as walkways, parking spaces and roadside areas will be used for the solar installations.
“This project is not only about producing clean electricity but also about improving public spaces for people. The solar walking sheds and car ports will provide comfort to pedestrians and vehicle owners while helping reduce carbon emissions. It is an important step towards making Panaji a cleaner and greener city,” an official from GEDA said, adding that the project will address Goa’s growing clean energy requirements while making use of limited urban land in Panaji.
Since the installations will be located at public spaces, the project is also expected to increase awareness about renewable energy among residents and tourists, said the official.
The estimated cost of the 25 kWp Solar Tree installation is around Rs 0.16 crore. For the larger projects, capital expenditure is estimated between Rs 5.48 crore and Rs 6.34 crore per megawatt, depending on the technology used and GST applications. The systems are designed for an operational life of 25 years.
The project is also expected to provide shaded walkways and parking areas, which may help reduce heat exposure for residents and visitors during the summer season.
The initiative is being spearheaded by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) under the Indo-German Energy Programme.
Implementation will be carried out in five stages, beginning with project development and the formation of a technical team. This will be followed by the appointment of an Engineering, Procurement and Construction contractor through a tendering process. The next phase will include procurement of Mono-PERC and TOPCON solar modules and installation of the structures.
After testing and grid connection, the systems will enter the operation and maintenance phase, which will include regular cleaning and performance monitoring. The installations will be connected to the local power grid through a net-metering system, allowing surplus electricity generated by the structures to be supplied back to the grid.
