MACFAST becomes first solar campus in India

70 Lakh solar project has been signed between MACFAST College and Hyderabad based Radiant Solar. It has a capacity of 30 KW.

Work order for solar installation gives to Mr.Viswanath Nambiar(President, Radiant Solar)  by Fr. Pradeep (Manager, MACFAST College)

Work order for solar installation gives to Mr.Viswanath Nambiar(President, Radiant Solar)  by Fr. Pradeep (Manager, MACFAST College)

Immediately after the launching of a flagship project Clean and Green Tiruvalla, MACFAST College has been reaching yet another acme by decorating a position of First solar campus in India. The agreement has been signed by Fr. Pradeep (Manager, MACFAST College) on behalf of MACFAST College and Mr.Viswanath Nambiar (President, Radiant Solar).  It envisages to utilizing alternate sources of energy for a sustainable future.  This solar project costs 70 Lakhs has a capacity of 30KW and 30-40% of the amount will be funded by central Government as subsidy through ANERT. 

While addressing the students at MoU signing, Rev. Dr. Abraham Mulamoottil (Principal MACFAST) pointed out that this new step is to promulgating the need for shifting to alternative sources of energy rather than saving electricity. He expressed hope that this mile stone initiative will give thrust to the recently launched Clean and Green Tiruvalla project. He said that MACFAST plans to shift to LED lights gradually. While explaining about the project, Mr. Viswanathan (President, Radiant Solar) said that first phase plans to make the hostel 'GREEN' and it will produce one third electricity for the campus. The amount can recoup with in 5years through carbon credit facility. He said that by installing this mega solar power plant, MACFAST will become the first and biggest solar education institute in India.

Quantity	Value	Units
Rated capacity	27.6	kW
Mean output	4.7	kW
Mean output	112	kWh/d
Capacity factor	16.9	%
Total production	40,758	kWh/yr

Average monthly energy consumption of the college campus is 12897units (average per day 430 units) and the hostel is 2105units (70 units per day). The proposed solar power plants for the hostel will daily export 112 units of electricity. So the net power consumption by the hostel will be zero. An energy monitoring and display system will be displayed at the entrance to the college (remote monitoring) that will show the daily energy saving. 

This project is based on the guidelines of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission. The total cost of the proposed 30KW solar power plant will be Rs 69, 68,000. The subsidy available is Rs 24, 84,000.  Therefore college will be investing only Rs.44, 84,000 for this project. The annual saving in electricity tariff will be Rs.3, 96,127.The carbon credit entitled by the college will be approximately Rs.63, 590/year. This is available for 25 years.