A truly farsighted visionary in green initiatives, Rev. Fr. Dr. Abraham Mulamoottil, by embarking on the first of its kind project in Kerala, has enabled MACFAST in Tiruvalla to become the first institute in Kerala to install a 30KW roof top solar power plant. Radiant Solar Private Ltd, Hyderabad, designed and supplied the solar installation with approval from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, and ANERT, Department of Power, Kerala Government.
The solar power plant will produce around 45,000 units (kilowatt hours) of electricity each year, about 50 per cent of the electricity required by the college. In addition to the provision of quality power when the sun is shining, uniquely, an uninterrupted power supply will be available to reduce the use of diesel power for the generator and reduce the demand for electricity from the grid. The solar power plant has a minimum life of 25 years, does not require any fuel and the maintenance is minimal. An important aspect of this project is an energy monitoring and display system situated outside the college Principal’s office, and accessible through the internet, that shows in real time the production and consumption of solar energy.
‘This newly installed solar plant is a big leap in the promotion of green energy. It aims to promulgating the need for shifting to alternative sources of energy along with saving energy. We have completed this project in a record time with the help of ANERT and Radiant solar, the technical consultant. He further added, "As solar power is clean, abundantly available and reduces carbon emission, MACFAST always looks for the promotion of green and sustainable practices. Today we need energy that should reduce the dependence on the fossil fuel based power. By using the abundant renewable source solar, we will be able to address energy crisis."
The President of Radiant Solar, Viswanath Nambiar, predicts that solar energy will have a key role in the future energy policy in Kerala. Solar energy is clean, unlimited and safe, and could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 26 tonnes every year in Kerala.
MACFAST has invested approximately Rs 75 lakhs in this project, receiving approximately Rs 22 lakhs capital subsidy from MNRE/ ANERT, and Rs 37 lakhs in the form of a low interest loan from the State Bank of Travancore refinanced by NABARD.
The long term economic benefits of solar powered solutions are undeniable. It is in this regard that the steps taken by the entire ecosystem starting from Macfast and the forward thinking mindset of the management, to the government for providing support, to the vendor - Radiant Solar, for bringing this technology to the state of Kerala, and all others involved that have to be congratulated for making an impact- a small step for the industry, but a large footprint to be followed.
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