Amp Energy has commissioned an 8.5 MWp rooftop solar system for German auto giant ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen at its Chakan plant in Pune, Maharashtra.
Said to be one of India’s largest rooftop installations, the plant consists of 25,770 highly efficient polycrystalline panels, covering 63,000 sq.m of roof space on the shop complex. It produces 12.2 million KWh of electricity annually, thus meeting up to 15% of the site’s annual electricity requirements while reducing CO2 emissions from car production at the site by more than 9,000 tonnes per year.
The set-up will also help reduce direct heat radiation in the workshop that not only caters to the domestic demand but also exports vehicles to other markets.
Volkswagen Group plans to go carbon-neutral at the Chakan plant by 2030.
Speaking on the occasion, Michael Oeljeklaus, ŠKODA AUTO Board Member for Production and Logistics, said, “We are pushing ahead with our target of achieving carbon-neutral production worldwide by 2030. By commissioning the new solar-power rooftop system at the Pune site, we are also setting an example for sustainability and a sense of responsibility in India.”
Gurpratap Boparai, Managing Director of ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited, added, “By putting the solar-power system into operation at our plant in Pune, we are reinforcing our commitment and making an important contribution to the sustainable ecological future of our company. We plan to implement further environmentally friendly projects in the future, actively ensuring that India contributes to reducing CO2 emissions worldwide.”
Maruti’s 5 MW plant
In May another carmaker Maruti Suzuki laid the foundation stone for a 5 MW solar power plant at its Gurugram facility. The captive solar power plant is expected to be commissioned in FY 2019-20.
To be set up at an investment of around Rs 240 million, the Gurugram plant will be developed in carport style covering an area of 32,985 square metres. While the solar panels generate clean energy, these will work as a roof for the cars parked underneath.
The plant will produce 7010 MWh power annually and offset CO2 emissions to the tune of over 5390 tonnes annually, for the next 25 years. The power generated from the solar power plant will be used to meet the internal energy needs of the Gurugram facility.
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