COIMBATORE: Avinashilingam University for Women in the city has set up a 100 KVA solar power grid, with funding from the University Grants Commission (UGC). The university hopes to save around one-third of its power cost with this facility.
“We have set up this facility with the `74 lakh funding from UGC during the twelfth five year plan. In the first phase, we have set up a 100 KVA facility and based on its success, we will be expanding,” said Sheela Ramachandran, Vice Chancellor of the University.
“The power generated by the solar facility will be connected to the power panel and it will be given priority in the university's power consumption. Power from TANGEDCO will be utilised only after this. So we are hoping to save one-third of our power tariff cost,” she said. She said, the university has already set up solar power in two hostels to generate 20 KVA capacities.
“The university's power requirement is 300-350 KVA per day and 400 panels were set up to generate 100 KVA per day. The solar grid project generates 400 units per day and the output is expected to save `10.08 lakh per year out of the 1,40,000 units generated annually,” the university said.
“Solar power protects the environment apart from helping us to conserve land and promotes health and prosperity. More solar power means less pollution, ” the university added. UGC Vice Chairman H Devaraj will be inaugurating the solar power grid project on Monday.