Enerparc installs world’s 1st solar plant on STS cranes

Gateway Terminals India Pvt Ltd, part of APM Terminals Global network, has commissioned 162 kWp solar PV power plant on roof of their Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes, located at Nava-Shewa port near Mumbai. The complete project right from concept stage, unique design, engineering and construction was executed by Enerparc Energy Pvt Ltd – the Indian subsidiary of global solar EPC and investment company Enerparc AG, Germany.

APM Terminal, one of the world leaders in port, terminal and inland services, is not new to benefits of solar energy. In the first phase Enerparc has already installed 413 kWp of rooftop solar PV system at various sites of the customer. To expand further, roof of control room on top of STS cranes was identified. APM has in total 10 heavy-duty STS cranes which are used for loading and unloading of containers from ship to shore and other way around. The location was challenging as these control room are at height of 65-metre from the ground level and are subjected to constant vibration from the high shore winds and movement of crane in different directions, also the beams supporting the crane keeps casting shadow on installed solar modules.
Enerparc with its technical knowledge and solar expertise overcame these challenges by using the right technology for solar modules, so that the concerns related to micro cracks (due to movement of crane) as well as hot spots (due to partial shading from support beams) are addressed.

Commenting on this achievement, Amit Barve, Vice President Business Development at Enerparc Energy said, “Solar installation on STS cranes is a unique project and first of its kind in the world. Though the site was complex and had its own set of challenges, the project was completed in a timely manner, keeping in mind the exemplary quality and highest safety standards.”