In a significant step towards sustainability, the University of Mumbai has expanded its green energy footprint with the launch of a 200 kW solar power project at its Kalina Complex.
According to an official statement, the university has also commissioned additional solar installations with a combined capacity of around 187 kW across six buildings within the complex. These include C. D. Deshmukh Bhavan, Ferozshah Mehta Bhavan, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad Bhavan, the Biophysics Department Building, the Old Lecture Complex, and the Life Science Department Building.
85 solar lights installed
The official statement further noted that a total of 85 solar street lights of 20-watt capacity each have been installed. The Kalina Complex includes C. D. Deshmukh Bhavan, Ferozshah Mehta Bhavan, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad Bhavan, the Biophysics Department Building, the Old Lecture Complex, and the Life Science Department Building.
Additionally, the work of the 20 kW solar power project at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Administrative Bhavan is in the final stage and is to be commissioned soon.
The official statement further noted that the solar power project in the Kalina Complex will power a large part of the campus on renewable energy sources, resulting in significant savings in annual electricity costs.
Apart from this, the objective of reducing carbon emissions every year will also be achieved from an environmental perspective. The use of solar energy in this building will reduce electricity costs by more than 4 lakhs per month.
The 200 kW capacity solar plant installed at the campus has a net metering system. Through this system, the entire building will get solar energy, and since this system includes solar panels and inverters along with the net meter system, additional energy will also be developed and planned.
Approximately 2,60,000 units of electricity can be generated per year using a 200 kW solar panel system.
After successfully commissioning a 120 kW solar power project at Thane Sub Campus, School of Engineering Applied Sciences, Kalyan and Vice Chancellor`s Residence, Mumbai University has now taken this important step towards the use of renewable energy at the Kalina Complex.
The university has started implementing various initiatives in line with the three-pronged objectives of increasing the use of renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions and creating environmental awareness among students, said Mumbai University Vice Chancellor Prof. Ravindra Kulkarni.
