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German PV project developer Conergy has completed the installation of a 900kWp off-grid PV project for the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department (MPFD), a forest service agency in Madhya Pradesh, India.
The off-grid PV array is composed of 755 1kW systems and 29 5kW systems which utilize crystalline PV modules supplied by Conergy. The company also provided the EPC services for the project and will continue to maintain the systems.
It is estimated that the array will generate 1,360 MWh of electricity every year. The electricity will be used to power the on-site ranger offices to facilitate constant communication between the offices and its headquarters in Bhopul.
Anil Oberoi, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Government of Madhya Pradesh, said: “Most of our field offices are located in remote forest areas and some of them have no access to a distributed power grid. For these offices, off-grid systems have become the lifelines that power the computers and radios used by our rangers. With these SPV systems, the MPFD is able to continue its legacy of protecting our forests not only from poachers but also from the harmful effects caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
Steffen Hesche, President of Conergy India, said: “Energy is a precious resource in India. In late July, the country faced the largest power grid collapse in the last eleven years with more than 600 million people affected – half of the subcontinent’s population. To avert power disruptions, many enterprises have turned to diesel generators which are expensive and come with huge environmental and health costs. But advances in technology have since made emission-free off-grid photovoltaic systems a viable alternative. With these stand-alone systems, the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has protected itself against power outages while contributing to the preservation of Bengal tigers’ natural habitat.”
