Eco clearance norms for solar thermal projects relaxed

New Delhi: The Ministry of Environment & Forests has exempted entities implementing projects under the National Solar Mission from environment clearance requirement. But the developers will have to demonstrate that they are not using protected land and have applied for water permits.

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy had raised the issue of the State pollution control boards repeated requests to obtain prior environment clearance for solar thermal power projects. The pollution boards felt that these projects were covered by the Environmental Impact Assessment provisions.

'It is now clarified that solar thermal power projects are not covered by the provisions of the EIA notification, 2006, Thursday's notification said. This decision is expected to speed up the implementation of these projects.

According to developers, solar power is clean and environment friendly and the land used for the projects does not require much change or development. Further, most of the land is used for installing solar collectors only. There are no polluting emissions or discharges in the air or water bodies because of these projects, the industry felt.