Suffering from huge power shortage, Bihar is encouraging alternative sources of energy like solar energy in a big way.
State Energy Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav told PTI that the state government has done a survey which revealed that there has been a tremendous scope for development of solar energy.
Accordingly, the state government has devised solar energy promotion policy to popularise solar energy.
As part of this, the state government has decided to exempt registration and entry tax on installation of solar energy plant on wasteland, Yadav said.
Proposals for generation of 250 MW through various solar power projects have been sent to the state cabinet for approval, he said.
In a bid to popularise the solar energy among people, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has got installed solar power system at his official 1 Anne Marg residence.
Companies engaged in sale of solar energy equipments estimate that the market for solar equipments in the state is worth more than Rs 40 crore and it is expected to grow further with time.
According to an International organisation ‘WISE’ (World Institute of Sustainable Energy) engaged in mapping prospects for production of solar energy, Bihar comes in the moderate solar radiation zone of the country. According to WISE, Bihar witnesses 280 days of sunshine which reflects tremendous scope for developing solar energy market.
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