Mangalore University to go green

By Jaideep ShenoyonDec. 20, 2017in Energy

Editorial Comment: The private company that is going to invest in the equipment to be installed on the the University buildings will buy the electricity for the next 25 years at a Flat Rate – will this long term arrangement be feasible?

Selected under a pilot project of Union ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE), Mangalore University is the only government building in Karnataka and among 37 across India that will get grid-connected roof-top solar photo-voltaic system. The university will be eligible for 550-kW of power at zero investment under the pilot.

Mangaluru: Mangalore University is all set to go green with its power requirements.
Mangaluru: Mangalore University is all set to go green with its power requirements.

Selected under a pilot project of Union ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE), Mangalore University is the only government building in Karnataka and among 37 across India that will get grid-connected roof-top solarphoto-voltaic system. The university will be eligible for 550-kW of power at zero investment under the pilot.

Implemented by Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), the pilot will see 1,000 MW power generated across these 37 institutions and SECI has contracted ReNew Solar Energy Private Ltd to execute the project as per the technical specifications and other tender conditions. The pilot will benefit the university immensely and it does not have to make any investment in the project. ReNew will make the entire investment as per terms and conditions of the pilot.

Confirming this green development, vice-chancellor K Byrappa told TOI that ReNew will maintain the project for the next 25 years. With the project likely to be up and running by March 2018, ReNew will execute a power purchase agreement for 25 years where the university will receive a flat Rs 3.839 per unit of power generated, Byrappa said, adding all unused rooftop spaces on the Mangalagangothri campus will be used for installing rooftop solar PV system.

The university on an average incurs a power bill of Rs 16 lakh per month and this shoots up to Rs 18-19 lakh during summer, Byrappa said, adding that the pilot will result in an annual saving of around Rs 1.5 crore. “It will reduce our dependence on grid power supplied by Mescom to a great extent,” Byrappa said.

ReNew has completed the process of identifying the places where the PV system will be set up and the university would receive the green power by March 2018.


First published by The Economic Times

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