Kerala University Goes Green with Solar Power

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  The biggest grid-connected solar power project by the Agency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT) was inaugurated at the Kerala University, Karyavattom campus on Tuesday.

 The power plant, inaugurated by Power Minister Aryadan Mohammed, is capable of generating 1.46 lakh units of electricity a year. The 100 kWp unit, fixed atop the golden jubilee building of the university, was set up under the deposit work scheme of ANERT as part of the university’s solar energy generation and energy conservation programmes, ANERT officials said. 

 Approved by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the unit consists of 400 solar panels each of which has a capacity of 250 Wp. The project cost Rs 99,80,000 and was built with the assistance of an approved ‘channel partner’ of the MNRE. The Power Minister had said that Kerala requires 3700 MW a day, but hydel stations in the state are capable of generating only 1600-1750 MW. The rest is met through power purchases. By 2017, the daily demand would soar to 4670 MW, he said.

 Aryadan Mohammed pointed out that the 200 MW solar power park planned in Kasargode district would be a reality soon. This project is being implemented with the help of the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). Kerala University vice chancellor P K Radhakrishnan presided over the function. Power secretary M Sivasankar delivered the keynote address.