Towards Sustainable Energy in Higher Education: Feasibility and Benefits of a 303 kW Solar Power Plant

This study includes the feasibility analysis and effects of 303 kW solar power system at a Public university in Pakistan. As energy costs is increasing in Pakistan and the need to decrease greenhouse gas emissions makes the introduction of renewable energy crucial for higher education even for the universities to achieve its goals of sustaining cost, carbon footprint reduction and sustainability. This photovoltaic plant seeks to harness high solar radiation in Sialkot Pakistan whereby solar electrical generation expected from this Plant is about 450 MWh per year. This generated electricity is supposed to fulfill the 70% of the university electrical energy requirements in peak season, and 100% during off season consumption where there is no cooling and fan load specially in winter and reduce the carbon dioxide CO2 emission by 20% or approximately 170 metric tons each year. A detailed technical design for the installation of a solar PV system has been developed with mono PERC Photo Voltic modules and maximum power point tracking inverters recommended for use as they offer high efficiency and are suitable for varying climatic conditions. In case of grid independence this system can be installed with hydrogen energy system. Furthermore, a nominal cost analysis has also been included within which total project cost is evaluated PKR 30 million (about 90 k €) with the forecasted payback period of 6 years; however, this analysis considered energy savings and incentives under net metering. Apart from corresponding financial and operational advantages, environmental performance can also be seen as overwhelming. The installation of this solar power system will reduce the dependence of University on National grid and at the same time helps in achieving Pakistan's national & international Paris Agreement targets.