The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation will organise Solar Power and Renewable Energy Expo 2012 from June 15 to 17 at the DRR Municipal Indoor Stadium as part of promoting Vijayawada as Solar City.

At a press conference the Municipal Commissioner G. Ravi Babu unveiled the new logo of Vijayawada Solar City, which will be used to promote alternative energy sources among people. A Rs.9.5 crore subsidy would be given to those opting to use alternative/ solar energy sources for lighting, heating water or other purposes. At the expo about 50 manufacturers from all over the country will exhibit their products. Citizens have been asked to have a look at that as the NEDCAP provides 30 per cent subsidy on majority of the alternative sources of energy equipment.

The NEDCAP District Manager Satyanarayana said that the Central Government plan was to achieve 10 per cent dependence on alternative sources of energy in 10 years. The projected power need of the city would be estimated and solar energy promoted in a big way with the VMC as one of its partners, the Commissioner added. Vijayawada was chosen as one the 60 cities in the country to be covered under this plan. The Phillips and Efftronics will be the main sponsors of the Expo-2012.

The expo will be open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (June 15 to 17) and seminars on solar energy, competitions for children and students would be some of the attractions with prizes given away.