Mumbai gets self-sustaining cultural institution

The National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA), India’s premier institute for performing arts, installed a 450 KW solar PV System, one of the largest rooftop projects in Mumbai, successfully adopting a sustainable power model. The installation recently inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will generate around 6,30,000 units of clean solar power every year.

This state-of-the-art solar installation project is approved by BEST and will help to reduce over one-third of the building’s electricity consumption. The installation aims to reduce the buildings’ CO2 emissions by more than 525 tonnes per year. Further, one of the most unique features of the structure is that there was no puncturing done on the terrace which negates the scope of water leakage. Most importantly, the system will generate over 50,000 units of electricity on a monthly basis and will also export excess power back to the electricity grid as it is connected under the solar net metering policy of the Maharashtra Government.

During the event Khushroo Suntook, Chairman, NCPA said, “Sustainability is truly the need of the hour. As one of the largest art and cultural institutions we have over 700 events taking place in a year across multiple venues within our premises, involving varying quantum of power consumption. This rooftop solar power project is therefore an extremely crucial step demonstrating our commitment to sustainability as well as the society at large.”

He adds, “This project has been in the making for the past one year and we are very proud to be one of the first cultural institutions in the country to be self-sustaining.”

The solar power system is built, owned and operated by Avesta Solar Pvt. Ltd and will maintain the system for the next 20 years. The components installed by Avesta Solar in this project has been sourced from global firms like German company SMA for Inverters, high efficient 320 Wp Solar Panels from Canadian Solar and German make module mounting structures from Schletter. Avesta Solar the Project Partner for the solar installation at NCPA is an organisation providing high quality customised solar rooftop solutions.