Kochi: The Model Engineering College is all set to run on solar energy.
The 30kW on-grid solar power plant built with the financial and technical support of students at the college in Thrikakkara has starting lighting up the college and running its equipment.
With the plant becoming operational, the electricity bill of the college will see a reduction of Rs 40,000 from Rs 1.5 lakh a month.
Minister for devaswom and tourism Kadakampally Surendran opened the plant on Thursday in the presence of MLA P.T. Thomas.
The plant was set up as part of the part-time students' final year project and costed Rs 24 lakh.
After subsidy from ANERT, the state government's agency for exploring non-conventional energy sources, the required amount stood at Rs 17.5 lakh.
However, when students, teachers, non-teaching staff and alumni joined hands, it became a reality. Hundred panels of 300W have been installed on the college's rooftop.
Two on-grid inverters of 15kW are also part of the plant, which helps in sending electricity generated directly to the grid instead of storing it in batteries.
When the college is shut, the electricity generated will be given to KSEB, said associate professor M. Pradeep, assistant professor Arun Prasad, and alumni representative C. Ajayakumar.
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