Edu-leaders

India has high solar insolation with around 300 sunny days a year. Akshat Khare, a student at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, was quick to spot a sunny career in this abundance. Easy availability and growing demand for renewable energy motivated him to form Pegasus Semiconductor Limited—an incubate company of CIIE, Ahmedabad. After graduation, Khare gave back to his alma mater by manufacturing and installing solar lights around its campus.

SUNNY BENEFITS
In the face of India’s acute energy scarcity and resource depletion, it is essential to address environmental concerns and tackle the energy crisis through judicious utilisation of non-conventional sources. Educational institutions have taken a cue. Several are now going green and opting for solar power on campus. Solar energy is clean and affordable, provides an uninterrupted supply, and can be harnessed easily. Apart from augmenting the energy supply, its adoption might just help India mitigate its climate change. Being environmentally-friendly, solar power does not emit greenhouse gases, or noxious pollutants. Neither does it create a lot of noise. Solar-powered panels and products are typically easy to install and are cost-effective in the long run. Wires, cords and power sources are not needed at all, making it an easy prospect to employ. Its operation is entirely independent, not requiring connection to power or gas grids. Also, little maintenance is required to keep the cells running. Since there are no moving parts in a solar cell, they tend to last long with only an annual cleaning to worry about. As campus needs grow, more solar panels may be added—since the system is extensible. “On campuses, the load and power need is highest during the day. That’s when solar power works at its best,” explains Inderpreet Wadhwa, CEO, Azure Power. “Most campuses have wide rooftops, ideal for installing solar panels. Not only will institutes be reducing strain on the already over-burdened electrical grid, but they can also sell the excess power produced during holidays to earn a profit,” he adds.

POWER PACKED
IIT Bombay has already set a strong example by installing a 3KW photovoltaic panel on the terrace of their department of energy science and engineering, which is soon to be reconstructed as a completely zero-energy building. Applied Materials recently donated a solar panel system to the institute that will be used to light its main avenue at Powai. The Mumbai campus isn’t the only one to go solar. IIT Delhi has a solar-powered water heating system in its hostels. It also has a 25KW photovoltaic generator on the canteen roof. And, solar power is used to pump water and for its distillation. Central University of Haryana is planning green buildings, photovoltaic roof structures and solar trees for harnessing the energy. Manipal has solar heaters in its hostels.
Sathyabama University has the world’s largest solar-steam cooking system on its campus, installed and commissioned by Gadhia Solar. It consumes less power and time than a conventional kitchen, and helps keep the kitchen clean and hygienic. By replacing LPG with solar dishes, the university saves nearly Rs 20 lakh every year.

Avinashilingam University for Women in Coimbatore has installed “concentrated parabolic solar cookers” in its engineering department. IIT, Kanpur, is currently involved in conducting research in this technology. They are experimenting with the use of organic solar cells (instead of the commercial inorganic cells made from silicon). The architectural design for their Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering building, which has been awarded the five star Teri-GRIHA rating, has been optimised according to climate and sun path analysis. It has energy-efficient solar lighting and daylight integration. Says Dr R.S. Anand, professor, department of electrical engineering, “We had plans of setting up a 500KW Solar Energy Research Experimental Station scalable to 1MW. Few institutes such as IITs are fortunate enough to have uninterrupted electricity supply.
At IIT, Kanpur, we want to create a model solar power plant that can be replicated elsewhere.” There are also demonstration projects on campus. The on-campus replica of the Delhi Iron Pillar will be lit using solar power. According to S. Sundar Kumar Iyer, associate professor, “We believe that the best benefit is that students get to see the benefits of solar power, first hand. As future leaders, we hope they, too, will promote this technology. It’s important that IITs and educational institutions set an example and make the Gen-Y aware of the need for addressing environmental concerns and pave a path to sustainable future.”

AID ADVANTAGE
“The sun occupies the centrestage of our lives, as it should, being literally the original source of all energy,” said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, while describing the Action Plan for India’s national strategy on climate change in 2008. The Centre is now offering rebates and concessions to institutions that are seeking to adopt solar technology.
“We fund research and development programmes, and are willing to provide financial support to most green initiatives,” says B.L. Ram of the ministry of new and renewable energy. According to a representative of the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), “We will organise more seminars and training programmes to promote solar energy. The government plans to launch several more schemes through IREDA to boost the use of solar power. So, the future looks bright.” In 2009, the government unveiled the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, a $19-billion plan to produce 20GW of solar power by 2020. Under the plan, solar-powered equipment and applications would be mandatory in all government buildings, including universities. “Subsidies have been announced that will make solar installations more economical now,” adds Khare.
“Also, grants from DST, TEPP and MSME help young ventures. These grants are also routed through institutes that can use these to support incubate companies. Our venture, Nessa Technologies, received strong support from the government in getting the nod for pilot projects and showcasing new technology.”
Dr Anand believes that, “If an institute has the funds, it can set up plants producing 50 to 100KW, depending upon its requirements. Otherwise, if manufacturers and banks come forth to offer soft loans recoverable against electricity charges, the cost can be recovered in the life of the solar power systems.”

VARSITY CHALLENGES
Though solar technology seems an attractive proposition, there are certain aspects a university should look out for. The initial cost is the main disadvantage before installing the system—largely due to the high-cost of the semi-conducting materials used in building one.
An exclusive solar generation system with a capacity of 250KW units (per month) can cost anywhere around Rs 5 lakh, with present pricing and taxes. The panels also require quite a large area for installation—to achieve a level of efficiency. According to Dr D.P. Kothari, Vice Chancellor, Vellore Institute of Technology, “Maintenance becomes a problem owing to the lack of trained personnel.” The efficiency of the system also relies on the location. Though this problem can be overcome with the installation of certain components. The production of solar energy is influenced by the presence of clouds, or pollution, in the air. Similarly, no solar energy is produced during the night, though a battery backup system can solve this problem.
“High costs and the weak link of battery are the biggest disadvantages of this efficient source of energy. A lot of research is needed to improve efficiency and reduce material costs even further,” believes Khare. He adds that institutes should try not to convert every energy source into a solar-powered one, but wait to do it in a modular fashion. Universities and institutes should start with solar streetlights as far as outdoor lighting is concerned, and then look for energy efficiency—not just renewable energy—such as substituting conventional lighting with LED lights.

FUTURE PERFECT?
Solar Photovoltaic is the world’s fastest growing energy technology and holds tremendous potential for India. “SPV systems are experiencing considerable decline in prices due to intense research, commercialisation of utility projects and increase in poly silicon production,” informs Wadhwa. “Even though it is still relatively expensive when compared to more conventional sources of power as far as tangible costs are concerned, there is a growing realisation that this source is the most promising one when it comes to generating power without polluting the environment.”
Evidently, the benefits of solar energy much outweigh the disadvantages that may be overcome as and when technology improves. Going green therefore, means a cleaner, brighter campus, and a cleaner, brighter future.