The Maulana Azad Medical College has set a new benchmark by becoming the first hospital in the Capital to use clean and renewable energy. Since the past month, the medical centre's pathology block and two hostels are being supplied power by solar cells installed on its rooftop.
The hospital's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint is a part of the Delhi government's initiative to promote non-conventional sources of energy. MAMC currently generates nearly 200 kilowatt peak and has plans to go completely solar dependent in the next two months. Kilowatt peak or kWp is the maximum possible output of a solar generator operating under standard conditions.
"We are partially generating our own power for the hospital and will get self-sufficient very soon," said Dr Sidharth Ramji, dean of MAMC. "The project is in line with the government's vision and thus the installations were done free of cost for us. We are bearing fruits and getting electricity discounts now.
According to hospital authorities, the installation of the solar panels began in November last year and the work was completed in 20 days. The free power has slashed the hospital's power by nearly half, they said.
To better its clean efforts, the hospital is now looking at going 'zero discharge', which will target its toxic waste, in the coming months. Officials said an 'effluent treatment plant' and a 'sewage treatment plant' will be ready by late March. Once operational, the plants will treat the hospital's waste water so that it can be used in flush tanks and for gardening.
Under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, the state government plans to generate 500 kw through rooftop photovoltaic cells at hospitals. The grid-connected generating units have a lifespan of 25 years wherein a 1kw power plant can generate up to 1,400 unit in a year. The power plants also require little maintenance and become reliable power sources for a long time.
GREEN MISSION
- The hospital’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint is a part of the Delhi government’s initiative to promote non-conventional sources of energy
- While the solar unit currently generates 200 kWp, MAMC plans to go fully solar dependent in two months
- Its power bill have come down by 50%
