KOCHI: Taking forward its initiatives to go green, the Indian Navy has installed solar panels on board survey ship INS Sarvekshak, based in Kochi.
The solar panels have the capacity to produce 5.4 KV of electricity, which is sufficient for internal lighting of the vessel round-the-clock. Sarvekshak is the first ship in India, perhaps first in the world, to use solar energy on board. The flexible lightweight panels were imported from the US.
“The main challenge was selecting the right solar panel. Ordinary panels are not suitable for the marine environment as they cannot resist humidity. Besides, ordinary solar panels are required be kept stationery in a specific direction,” said commanding officer Capt Rajesh Bargoti.
“The flexible panels can be installed in any place where sunlight is available. It requires a 1-sqmt panel to produce 100 watts. The system is maintenance-free,” said Commander Sreejith Thampi, electrical officer of INS Sarvekshak.
“The system was installed spending `19 lakh, and the generation cost is `12 per kv/hour. The estimated savings in 15 years of service life is approximately `1 crore as the existing diesel generator consumes one litre of diesel to generate five units.
“Unlike the diesel generator that produces 165 kg of carbon daily, the new system contributes to environmental conservation. The remaining energy, after consumption, is stored in batteries,” he said. The Navy is planning to present the project for the Chief of Naval Staff Award.