Panasonic Life Solutions India today announced the commissioning of a 7 MW AC solar power plant built on an EPC basis for the developer Gro Solar Energy in the Indian State of Maharashtra. The project, located at Degoan in the Dhule district, is spread over a 50-acre land area.
The agrivoltaic project uses 30,300 Panasonic’s ‘Anchor’ make of polycrystalline solar modules “Made in India” installed along with string inverters to maintain high uptime.
The solar electricity generated is evacuated at the nearest substation to power homes across multiple villages in the vicinity and provide the much-needed daytime power to the farmers for irrigation activities.
Project developer Gro Solar Energy benefits from a power purchase agreement with MAHAGENCO through a power sale agreement with MAHADISCOM. The project was installed under the Government of Maharashtra’s“Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana” to energize the agricultural feeders in Maharashtra.
“This project will generate approximately 15,891 MWh of solar energy and assist in eliminating a total of 14,300 tonnes of CO2 emissions over the lifetime of the PV plant,” according to Panasonic Life Solutions.
Gulabsing Girase, one of the Directors of Gro Solar Energy, said they are looking at the possibility to reap agriculture yield by planting low-height guava, lemongrass, and a few other crops between solar module tables by extending the pitch and the height. “It will not only lead to agriculture yield but also help save the water utilized for cleaning, ensure a less dusty environment, and maintain a reduced ambient temperature. Further, this results in higher gains in solar power plants,” he added.
Amit Barve, business unit head of solar business, Panasonic Life Solutions India, said, “The commissioning of 7 MW AC project is a significant achievement for us, especially during tough pandemic conditions. Excellent support, mutual trust, and coordination with Developer, Gro Solar Energy Pvt. Ltd. was the reason behind the smooth and fast execution of this project.”
In agrivoltaics, the same area of land is used to produce both solar energy and agricultural products. In other words, solar panels co-exist with crops on the same surface. After the project is fully developed, it will act as a model for agrivoltaic projects in India. Gro Solar Energy plans to start agricultural activities in 2022.
Gro Solar Energy is a special-purpose vehicle founded for this Project by Gulabsing Girase, Rajdeep Girase, Abhijeet Girase, and Sonal Patel. The Power Finance Corporation of India has funded the project.
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Not clear why this project is an AgriVoltaic Project if the clear height below the Panels is inadequate for normal agricultural purposes… this is precisely what differetiates AgriVoltaics (AV) from Solar Farms as the latter limits use of land for Agricultural purposes…. and generates only solar electricity…
Nothing new or unique here… as this has been known for several years now…. but a good step in the right direction… all the same..