Government Promotes Installation of Renewable Energy System in the Existing Buildings
The Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Dr Farooq Abdullah informed Lok Sabha that the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy is implementing a programme on energy efficient solar/green buildings which aims to promote the construction of energy efficient solar/green buildings and renewable energy applications in buildings including a green building rating system--GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment). Further, the BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency) has also developed ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code) for ensuring energy efficiency in buildings. These are voluntary and are not proposed to be mandatory. The Ministry is promoting installation of renewable energy systems and devices in the country in the existing buildings also including buildings in the Government sector under various programmes. The Ministry is also providing incentives under the Energy Efficient Solar/Green Building Programme towards capacity buildings, awareness etc. for the green buildings. However, GRIHA Rating System and ECBC are applicable for the construction of new buildings only.