Residents in Pune are upset over conflicting solar panel regulations from local and central authorities
Pune: Recently, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) took action against a housing society for putting up rooftop solar panels. This has sparked a lot of confusion among residents about the rules.
The issue arose when PMC targeted Treasure Park housing society in Sahakarnagar for having solar panels that were taller than the allowed height of 1.8 meters. Residents were understandably upset and even reached out to the Prime Minister’s Office, claiming they followed the central government’s guidelines.
It’s a bit of a mess because while the central government’s PM Surya Ghar scheme allows for solar panels to be installed at heights of 2 to 3 meters, PMC’s rules say they can only be 1.8 meters high. Talk about mixed signals!
One resident, Vijay Vishwasrao, shared his frustration, saying he was excited to install solar panels but now feels hesitant due to the conflicting rules. He believes the central guidelines are more practical and fair for those wanting to go green.
A chairperson from another housing society, who wished to stay anonymous, pointed out that having to keep panels at lower heights makes terraces less usable. If they could go higher, people could still enjoy their terraces for gatherings or just walking around.
Prashant Waghmare, a city engineer with PMC, explained that their rules are set at 1.8 meters and changing them would need a decision from the state government. Another official mentioned that the action against the housing society wasn’t intentional; they were just responding to complaints.
This whole situation highlights the need for better communication between government agencies. Without a clear and unified policy, residents are left in a tough spot, trying to navigate these conflicting regulations.
The PM Surya Ghar scheme, approved earlier this year, aims to boost rooftop solar capacity and help households generate their own electricity. It has a budget of ₹75,021 crore and will run until 2026-27, offering significant subsidies for solar installations.
To qualify for the scheme, applicants need to be Indian citizens, own a house with a suitable roof, have a valid electricity connection, and not have received any other solar panel subsidies.