Using a 50 kW rooftop solar system, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Colaba, Mumbai, is saving ₹852,852 (~$9,548.45) annually on power costs.

TIFR is a deemed university that awards master’s and doctoral degrees.

Taking the sustainable route and reducing electricity costs, TIFR decided to utilize the rooftop space at its campus to set a 50 KW rooftop solar system in August this year. The system was commissioned in September.

The institute’s decision to shift to solar also stems from the grid tariff reaching as high as ₹14 (~$0.156)/kWh.

Mumbai-based VEMCO Solar, the renewable energy arm of Vijay Engineering & Machinery Company, set up the rooftop system.

The rooftop system is a behind-the-meter project that powers all the buildings at  TIFR. The excess energy is exported back to the grid, yielding savings on its electricity bills through net adjustments.

The 50 KW rooftop system utilizes Rayzon Solar’s 550 Wp mono PERC modules and two SolarEdge inverters of 27.6 kW each.

The inverters are also installed with an optimizer, a small electronic device that can be installed under each panel to enable individual monitoring and output management. It can be helpful in cases of the solar system being affected by shading. The optimizer prevents a performance dip of the string of panels due to shading and limits the impact to the shaded panel alone.

The solar system is also integrated with a remote monitoring system that enables users to monitor its output and performance in real time.

The rooftop system generates 250 units per day and an estimated 7,500 units per month.

The system, designed for a 20-year project life, is expected to pay for itself within 6.5 years.

It is expected to yield savings of ₹ 12.6 million (~$141,068) over 20 years.

VEMCO Solar said TIFR is constructing two more buildings and plans to install solar panels on their rooftops.

It said that the rooftop system uses a ballast structure for the solar mounting system, which is usually used on flat roofs, and avoids drilling holes into the roofs. The rooftop system is anchored using ballast blocks. Such mounting structures are ideal for rooftops that are not structurally stable. The mounting structure is also hot-dip galvanized to ensure long-term durability and prevent corrosion.

Commercial and industrial consumers can benefit from shifting to solar. Mercom India hosts a nine-city Clean Energy Meet to raise awareness of the benefits of adopting solar. The next event will be held in Nagpur on December 12.