KOCHI: The solar rooftop project of the Cochin Smart Mission Ltd (CSML) will get an impetus with a 500kW solar plant coming up in the Vyttila mobility hub soon.
Under the project, KSEB will soon start the work to set up the plant which will have charging stations for electric autorickshaws and even private electric vehicles (EVs).
“Even though there will be limited parking space, private owners of EVs can park vehicles at the hub and take it back after charging. This will add to the revenue of the hub. The power will go to the grid. All lighting will be changed accordingly,” said CSML CEO and Vyttila hub MD S Shanavas.
As of now, rooftop solar plants have been installed in 28 government buildings in the Kochi corporation limits by CSML. “The total capacity is 1000kW or 1MW, generating 1.46 million units of green energy in a year,” he said.
The plants will help the government establishments save about Rs 1 crore in power bills a year and reduce carbon footprint to the tune of 1,000 tonnes a year. In green terms, it would have the effect of planting 5,400 trees.
Officials pointed out that the challenge in solar roofing of government buildings is not in the wiring but whether the electronic and electrical items in the panels can withstand corrosion caused by high humidity and salt in the air. “We are taking it slowly and hope to understand if these panels can withstand the weather changes. We will study and then go in for a major expansion, if the materials can withstand our coastal climate,” Shanavas said.
CSML is also mulling over the possibility of tapping wind energy in some of the islands. The bridges in Kochi are also being looked at as prospective solar panel points. “If we put panels on our bridges, our power generation could easily touch 3-5 MW from these alone. We will look at these aspects if we are included in the Smart City-II mission,” he added.
As of now, the average energy production per day over a one-year period is expected to be 4,000 units from the 1000kW installations.
Among the 28 buildings, Town Hall has the largest plant in an individual building. The average per day production from the plant is expected to be 320 units and the monthly production 9,600 units under favourable climatic conditions.
Source: PTI
