ST VINCENT’S SCHOOL GETS SOLAR-POWERED CAMPUS
When there is less consumption, units of electricity will be banked with the MSEB. This can later be drawn in the upcoming months.
With the advent of advancaed technology in classrooms, the consumption of power in schools has considerably increased. This has added to the expenses of various institutions. To overcome the increasing cost of electricity, a city-based school is all set to become independent on the front of power usage as well as generation.
The 150-year-old St Vincent’s School recently installed solar power generation plant on its premises. This plant has a capacity of around 90 KWp power generation. The school has been using electricity generated from this plant since last two billing cycles.
Talking about the initiative, Father Anish J, vice-principal of the school, said, “We are probably the first school in Maharashtra to run 100 per cent on renewable energy. We started the plant’s installation in January 2017 and the work was completed in January 2018. The 90 KWp grid was activated some three months ago. Now, our entire campus is connected to solar energy. Our grid has a capacity of generating about 12,000 units per month. However, our consumption is around 9,000 to 10,000 units only. So, the excess electricity we generate is injected back into the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) grid. For this, we have installed net metering technology as per the regulations prescribed by the government. We have roped in Cleanmax, Pune for this. The private company is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the grid.”
Daryl De Sales, the school’s alumnus who now works as a consultant in the solar industry, initiated the idea. Sales said, “Schools are procuring newer devices to keep up with the pace of technology, but electricity rates are hiked every year. This installation provides the same amount of electricity to the school at the rate of around Rs 4 per unit as compared to Rs 7 to 8 by MSEB.”
When there is less consumption, the units of electricity are banked with the MSEB which can later be drawn in upcoming months. The private company had installed the plant and invested in it. The school has to pay the electricity bill to the company. Company charges half the rate per unit as compared to the MSEB and the contract is valid for 25 years from the date of installation, said the school officials.
Talking about the challenges faced, Sales mentioned the obsolete cabling of the building. He informed, “The condition of the roof needs to be checked for any leakages before installation. Secondly, the school had nine different meters so we had to make it a single unit to connect all the lines.”
Source: punemirror.indiatimes
