Overview
- Officials said on Friday that the Delhi power department is moving forward with a pilot to install the city’s first solar tree at the Delhi Secretariat as a high-profile prototype.
- The proposal is being drawn up by the power department in consultation with other civic agencies and the final design, capacity and siting remain under discussion.
- One news feed reported that a solar tree has already been installed at the Secretariat, but other reports describe the Secretariat only as the planned pilot site, so the installation status is currently disputed.
- A solar tree is a vertical metal structure with photovoltaic panels on branch-like arms, batteries at the base for on-site storage, and sometimes rotating panels to track the sun; designs discussed for Delhi would include seating beneath the structure and use the power for nearby street lighting and public services.
- If the pilot proves effective the government plans to replicate the units at major intersections and public spaces, a move that could add small, decentralized clean power sources and shaded pedestrian seating in dense parts of the city and reduce local grid demand.