The Sun Shines on Our Roof
How Govt. Model Engineering College Installed a Rooftop Solar Power Plant and Set an Example in Sustainable Engineering
The journey from a brilliant plan to its clean execution which gave Govt. Model Engineering College the much talked - about 30kW rooftop solar power plant.
Govt. Model engineering College has made news repeatedly in the last near-thirty years of its magnificent existence. The college has always been at the forefront of innovation, cultural and community oriented activities, while continuing to be an indomitable force with regard to academic results, placement stats and advocacy of social causes.
As we celebrate a year of the installation of MEC’s own solar power plant, Transients brings you the story of how the idea actually materialised. The year was 2016. The seed of an idea was born when the part-time B.Tech. students (2013–2017) of Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Govt. Model Engineering College began thinking about an innovative idea for their main project. All they wanted was to put together their experience in the power industry and technical expertise to build something useful for the college.
The Solar Trail
The college is a high tension consumer with an average consumption of 18,000 units of electricity every month and a contract demand of 150 kVA. The electricity bills stood high while usage of electricity couldn’t be compromised on. The concept of a non conventional energy source owned and operated by the college seemed a feasible solution. A proposal outlining the details of the plant was put together and submitted to the Principal and the Head of Department, Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
The project was initially conceived as a 100kW solar power plant to meet all the needs of the college but received approval for a 30kW power plant on technical grounds. The installation a 30kW solar panel would reduce the contract demand by about 50kVA. With the solar power generating station expected to generate 40,000 units per annum, reduction in contract demand and savings in power consumption would mean an annual saving of Rs. 0.4 million for the college.
The plant was estimated to cost around Rs. 2.4 million. ANERT, the state government’s agency for exploring non-conventional energy sources offered subsidies after which the expense stood at Rs. 1.75 million. Raising the required funds was the next task at hand. However, when students, teachers, non-teaching staff and the extensive network of our alumni joined hands, the vision took off and what looked like a mere dream months ago became a reality.
The solar power plant was commissioned by the combined cooperation of ANERT authorised nodal agency and Soura Natural Energy India Ltd. under a Govt. subsidy scheme. Interestingly, Soura Natural Energy Solutions India Pvt. Ltd was co-founded by Mr. Anaz K Kabeer, a 1996–2000 batch alumnus of the college. With years of experience in the renewable energy segment, he was the perfect mentor and guide the project needed.
Unveiling the Power on the Rooftop
The project was inaugurated on 26th October, 2017 by Shri. Kadakampally Surendran, the Honourable Minister for Co-Operation, Tourism, and Devaswom in Kerala, in the presence of Advocate P. T. Thomas, MLA and Dr. P. Sureshkumar, the Director of IHRD. Although Govt. Model Engineering College is not the first to install rooftop solar power plants in the state, it stands ahead of other private educational institutions in that the entire fund for the project was raised through the efforts of the student community and the alumni.
The 30kw on-grid solar plant has been constructed on 300 square metres of the total area of the rooftop of the main building. Hundred panels of 300W have been installed. Two on-grid inverters of 15kW installed as a part of the plant help in sending electricity generated directly to the grid instead of storing it in batteries. On working days, the solar power plant can partly take care of the electricity needs of the college, with the rest being supplied by the electricity board. During holidays, the plant exports the power to the grid.
The First Solar Power Plant Open to Academic Study
The main idea of the project was to cut down on costs and solve the energy crisis. And the toil and labour have borne fruit. Where the electricity bills previously rounded up to Rs .18 million, it now stands at a mere Rs. 30,000. In the long run, the college expects to become self reliant for its energy needs.
Mr. Anaz K Kabeer relates the story of how the alumni arrived at the consensus that the 30kW solar power plant would be completely accessible to students for academic study, making it probably the first solar generating station in Kerala, possibly in India, to throw open its doors for academic study. This is a laudable decision as similar installations in institutions have restrictions in place concerning involvement of students.
Moreover, a solar power plant research lab has been set up for students to engage in studying topics related to solar energy. Weekly maintenance schedules have been put up and cleaning of the panels is undertaken by student representatives of Electrical Minds Forum under the guidance of the staff-in-charge.
Govt. Model Engineering College has been living on its principle and motto of creating social engineers by embracing a strong innovation culture within the campus. The students of Electrical Minds Forum had previously undertaken a village electrification project titled Urja, which was a tremendous leap in our journey towards invclusivity and lasting social impact.
