Schools and colleges look for power from above

BANGALORE: When it comes to going green, the schools and colleges across the city seem to have pulled up their socks to contribute in a positive way towards the environment. Today’s cutting edge educational institutions are going way beyond simple recycling or starting organic gardens and are installing solar panels to offset their emissions and minimise their dependence on non-renewable sources of energy.And the thought cannot get much greener. These schools and colleges, in an effort to do their bit, know that even a little done will go a long way when it comes to the importance of going green and protecting the planet.Some have stretched themselves all along and are meeting all their energy requirements through solar power, while others are doing their best and sharing as much burden with the BESCOM as they can. Leading the way by going all green is the St Joseph’s College of Arts and Science. Producing 425 KW of power on a daily basis with the help of 432 panels they have installed, the power plant put up at the roof top meets all the energy requirements, from lighting a tube light to using a tool in their science laboratory. Each panel has a capacity of 230 WP and the plant has been established incurring a total cost of `1.7 crore. “We started the project last October. We felt the need of harvesting solar energy due to the constant power cuts and with the aim of going environment-friendly. We strive to teach our students the advantages of using renewable sources of energy. All our energy requirements are being met with the help of solar energy. Moreover, the plant also serves as a learning tool for the students. This solar power plant gives us a chance to show them that it is possible to do so,” said Daniel Fernandes S J, principal, St Joseph’s College of Arts and Science. The next to follow is an institution that is fairly new to be established but is looking at meeting all its energy requirements using the photovoltaic panels generating 100 KW of energy on a daily basis. Candor International School, located in Hulahalli, is coming up with a solar plant constituting 360 panels (each of 280 WP) which will be occupying approximately 1,200 sq metres, using a Grid Export Inverter of 100 Kw. The power generated will be used for their lighting and all electrical and electronic appliances. “Our school has an architecture which can be called an eco-friendly architecture. Even during dull days, we get enough daylight, owing to which artificial lights are not required. The solar power plant will be completely active within the next 10 days and all our energy requirements will be met through the plant alone. BESCOM will have very little to supply,” said Sridhar C, dean, Candor International School. The school will also flaunt a solar powered garden, street lights, solar water heaters and parabolic reflectors for steam cooking. Apart from the above mentioned educational institutions, there are others, who are doing their best to maximise their dependence on the renewable source of energy.“We do have solar panels installed, but currently we are using it only for heating water. But we are planning to come up with a solar power plant so that all of our energy requirement is met through solar power,” said Ajay Kumar, principal, Ebenzer International School.And environmentalists opine that the initiative by schools and colleges is a great step towards greener future. Said Suresh Heblikar, environmentalist and founder of the NGO, Eco-Watch, “Although I am not sure  how much of their energy requirement is being met, as relying on solar power for all your energy requirement on a daily basis is practically impossible. When there is no sun, it will be difficult. Bangalore has been cloudy for last two-three months and it becomes difficult to generate enough power in such a situation, although about two to three hours is sufficient to produce enough energy. But the move is most welcome and is highly appreciated. It’s only the initial investment that falls heavy on your pocket, but proves very beneficial and cheap at a later stage. I would also like to see people using hybrid power (wind energy + solar energy) very soon”.