Automobile manufacturers are slowly warming up to the Tamil Nadu government’s solar policy.

Truck maker Daimler India Commercial Vehicles is planning to set up a logistics warehouse with inbuilt solar panels at the company’s plant in Oragadam, Chennai. And Nissan is planning to power its offices in the country with solar energy.

“With Tamil Nadu being abundant in solar energy, we welcome the State Government’s move to make use of natural resources. Our other plants globally too make use of solar energy for sustainable business,” said Florian Laudan, Head, Corporate Communications, Daimler India.

The State Government’s recent solar energy policy makes it mandatory for industrial and commercial buildings connected to “a high tension power load” to use solar power to meet a part of their power needs. The government mandates 6 per cent solar purchase obligation from January 2014. Till December 2013, it will be 3 per cent. The policy also promises incentives and tax benefits for solar power production.

Speaking at a seminar on sustainability in the auto industry, Biju Balendran, Vice-President, Plant Engineering, Renault Nissan India, said solar water heaters have been installed at the kitchen inside its Oragadam plant. Nissan is now taking steps to power its offices in the country using solar energy, he said.

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