New Delhi, Feb 25 (IANS): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday dedicated to the nation Indira Paryavaran Bhavan, the new office block of the environment ministry, built using solar passive design and energy efficient material.

The centrally air-conditioned office building can accommodate about 600 officials of the the ministry.

"The building is expected to be a trend setter in the country and shall inspire people towards adoption of green technology," an official release said.

It said effective ventilation has been provided in the building by orienting it in the east-west direction, separating different blocks with connecting corridors and having a large central courtyard.

"The design is such that 75 percent of natural daylight is utilised to reduce energy consumption," the release said.

It said that energy saving of about 40 percent has been achieved by adoption of energy efficient chilled beam system of air conditioning in which cooling takes place by convection currents rather than air flow through diffusers.

"With an installed capacity of 930 KW peak power, the building has the largest roof top solar system among multi-storeyed buildings in India," the release said.