Corp to assess 234 buildings for solar feasibility study

Thiruvananthapuram: The city corporation and Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT) are assessing the feasibility of 234 government and corporation owned buildings in the city to install solar power plants. Under the smart city project, the civic body has already installed solar power plants in five buildings, including the legislative assembly building complex. The civic body plans to generate 10.2mw power with the installation of solar power plants in over 200 buildings in the city.
The power plant at the legislative assembly has a capacity of 395 kw. The Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Limited aims to tap maximum potential from solar energy and to achieve 10% of total electrical demand inside the ABD (area based development) area. The projects ensure a guaranteed annual generation of solar energy with a minimum guaranteed 1,350 units per kilowatt peak (kWp) per annum during the first five years of operation with KSEBL grid synchronization.
SCTL has already implemented the projects at State Central Library, Palayam (39KW), Kerala University Library, Palayam (85KW), Government College for Women, Vazhuthacaud (82 KW) and Government Central High School, Attakulangara (4KW).
All the solar projects are grid connected type with islanding and disconnection protection thereby saving the cost on battery procurement and its maintenance.
SCTL now plans to erect grid tied rooftop solar photovoltaic (SPV) power plants, on the roof of buildings with a total installed capacity of 95 kWp in total three locations - Sanskrit College, State Armed Police Camp, Nandavanam, and multi-level car parking at Thampanoor.
As per the tender document, the scope shall include supply, installation, testing and commissioning of solar modules, module mounting structure, inverters, surge protectors, other components, earthing & lightning protection system, solar meters, check meters, data logging and monitoring system and integration to ICCC (integrated command and control centre), fire and safety equipment.
A grid tied solar rooftop photovoltaic (SPV) power plant consists of SPV array, module mounting structure, power conditioning unit (PCU)/ inverter consisting of suitable number maximum power point tracker (MPPT), inverter, and controls and protections, interconnect cables and switches. The officials said that installation of solar power plants in buildings in the city is a major step towards reducing the carbon footprint. The plant will have a lifespan of 25 years.
In April, NATPAC building at Akkulam had switched to solar power with the installation of a 20 kWp solar panel. Around 1/3 of the total power requirements is now being met using solar energy.
In 2016, the city corporation installed the solar panel at the main office at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore. The works standing committee had then drawn up an estimate of Rs 12 crore for setting up panels in zonal offices. However, the plan did not materialize. Deputy mayor P K Raju had announced in the corporation budget for 2022-23 that projects to promote use of solar energy will be implemented in the city soon.