Mumbai, Reliance Solar, the solar energy initiative of Reliance Group, has successfully executed and commissioned Indias first one-megawatt (MW) solar plant to power Thyagaraj stadium to be used in the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2010. The Thyagaraj Sports Complex is a model Green Stadium with world class facilities in India and will host NetBall in the upcoming Commonwealth Games. The solar power generated through 1 MW solar PV power plant at the Thyagaraj Stadium is expected to result in emission reduction of more than 1,200 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year thereby setting a benchmark in terms of energy efficiency.

In addition, building-integrated photovoltaic concept is also implemented by Reliance Solar Group. So, the stadium can start feeding electricity to the grid. The good news is, henceforth, this power will be made available for public consumption, except during the period when the Games take place in October. The Government of Delhi is already in talks with NDMC, BSES and PWD to sell the electricity thus generated, for consumption. KK Sharma, principal secretary (PWD) said, The amount of solar power generated is substantial, and we wanted to utilize the power plant properly, especially as around 1MW of power will be generated every day, depending on the weather.

Reliance Solar Group installed and commissioned the countrys first 1MW solar plant in a record duration of less than 3 months. The power plant is expected to generate around 1.4 million units of electricity per year. It would cater to the power requirements of the stadium and the surplus would be fed to the grid at 11KV. Reliance Group has also implemented three 2.6 KWp solar PV power plants on the roofs of individual tennis courts in the R K Khanna Tennis Complex, which will play host to the tennis event during the games. Further, there are 34 back-up solar PV systems of 3 KWp each along with 180 solar LED street and 500 garden lights in the Commonwealth Games Village, which will house athletes, coaching and support staff.

Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Mukesh Ambani, Chairman & Managing Director, Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) said, We have always believed that the renewable energy space is a natural extension of our strengths in the conventional energy platform. The nature of technical expertise and project execution demonstrated in developing the solar power infrastructure is a defining achievement for our Solar Group. We will continue our efforts in research, understanding and scaling up the deployment of these environment friendly sources of energy. Reliance Industries is privileged and honored to work with the Government of Delhi and Organizing Committee and be an integral green part of a show case event like the Common Wealth Games 2010.

Important facets of the 1MW solar PV plant at the Thyagaraj Stadium include:

    1. A kalzip type roof that minimizes the use of mounting structures in the system
    2. A total of 3,640 no of 280Wp modules with one of the highest efficiency of 14.1% have been used in the project.
    3. The entire system has been installed within a roof-space of 10,000 sq. m. (2.5 acres).

The inverters and power evacuation systems used in the project are the best in class and have been executed by partnering with leading global companies to ensure best quality and results.

Notes to Editor

The solar energy initiative of Reliance aims to bring solar energy systems and solutions primarily to remote and rural areas and bring about a transformation in the quality of life.