Delhi To Get First Solar Tree At Secretariat
The structure will be a metal installation with photovoltaic panels mounted on branch-like extensions and is being positioned as an alternative to conventional rooftop solar where land is constrained. The project will be developed by the power department in consultation with other agencies and aims to demonstrate the viability of such installations in dense urban settings.
The Secretariat houses offices of the chief minister Rekha Gupta, ministers and senior bureaucrats and the prototype is expected to serve as a model for similar installations at prominent intersections and public spaces across the city. Officials indicated that discussions are underway on capacity, panel alignment and overall feasibility and that replication would follow if the pilot proves successful.
A solar tree is designed to resemble a tree, with a vertical arrangement that permits multiple panels to be installed while occupying a small footprint, making it suitable for areas with limited land availability. The plan includes seating beneath the structures so they may double as shaded resting spots for pedestrians and animate public space. Electricity generated by the panels will be stored in batteries at the base of each structure for use by nearby public utilities.
Officials said street lighting and other public infrastructure are expected to be served by the stored electricity, and some designs under consideration include rotating or adjustable panels that track the sun to increase output. The final configuration for the Capital remains under discussion, but authorities noted that similar installations have been deployed in other Indian and international cities as part of efforts to integrate renewable energy into urban design. The initiative forms part of the government's broader push to expand renewable energy use and to make public spaces more attractive and environmentally sustainable.