Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday inaugurated the world’s largest rooftop solar project on a cricket stadium, at Brabourne stadium.
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The Cricket Club of India (CCI), established in 1933 and home to Brabourne stadium, has installed 2,280 solar panels of 360 wp rating each on the roof of the west and north stands of the stadium. The combined power generation capacity of these panels is 820Kw.
“This is a historical occasion for me as today I inaugurated the largest rooftop solar project at a cricket stadium. An entire stadium is going green with new technology, and I am sure that this step by the CCI will be the one for the betterment of the mankind,” said Mr. Fadnavis.
CCI president Premal Udani said, “CCI has always been at the forefront of creating world class sports infrastructure. With installation of the solar plant, we are committed to working towards a more ecologically sustainable environment and reducing our carbon footprint.”
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The CCI has already carried out a pilot project to install solar panels to generate 45Kw and 6000 LPD solar water heating system in 2016. The rooftop panels are the latest cutting edge technology of mono-crystalline PERC. “The per annum generation capacity is 11.5 lakh units of electricity, which accounts for about 30% of the club’s requirement, thus resulting in saving of approximately ₹1.25 crore per year at the existing tariff,” said Mr. Udani.
The club said that the plant will mitigate 25,000 tons of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to planting 40,344 teak trees. “The generated power will be transmitted to the BEST grid,” said Mr. Udani.
‘Trees to be cut, but Metro will have benefits’
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday, while congratulating the Cricket Club of India on its environment-friendly initiative, acknowledged that construction of a Metro car shed will result in felling of 2,000 to 3,000 trees.
“Yes, we are aware about the cutting of trees. But we informed the Bombay High Court about the possible benefit from the upcoming Metro.” He said the carbon footprint mitigation of the Metro project would be equivalent to planting over two crore trees in Mumbai.
Activists have opposed the government’s decision to cut trees in Aarey Colony for the car shed.