Škoda Auto, a Czech Republic based automobile company, has installed 1 MW of rooftop solar project at its production facility in Aurangabad, in the state of Maharashtra.

The project is expected to generate 1,475 MWh of power per annum. The unique carport structure will cover 30 percent of  Skoda’s production facility annual energy consumption. It will also help in reduction of 922 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually from the production process.

Mercom‘s recent research findings pointed how solar carports are demonstrating the potential to be a source of growth for the rooftop sector.

Nandakumar Ghodele, the mayor of Aurangabad commented on the development saying, “This project epitomizes adoption of new technologies towards environment friendly development and the plant demonstrates how energy needs of the local manufacturing bodies can be met through clean and renewable sources like solar.”

The project is built in line with the ‘Green Future’ strategy of Škoda Auto and has been commissioned as part of the ‘India 2.0’ project.

Mercom has often reported about how various multinationals in the country are gradually turning to solar power to meet their increasing energy requirements in a self-sustaining manner.

In July 2018, Walmart India, a wholly owned subsidiary of Walmart Inc, said it is planning to incorporate sustainable sources such as solar energy, water harvesting, and recycling to run its stores in the country.

In March 2018, Microsoft announced the completion of its first renewable energy deal in India. Under the agreement, the company will purchase 3 MW of solar-power from Atria Power for its new office building in Karnataka’s capital city, Bengaluru. It will meet 80 percent of the projected electricity needs through this energy purchase.

India plans to achieve 40 GW of rooftop solar as part of its broader goal of achieving 100 GW of solar capacity across the country by 2022.

According to the Mercom India Solar Project Tracker, India has an installed capacity of ~2.5 GW of solar rooftop installations as of August 2018.

Image credit: Skoda Auto