Sri Lanka’s Hirdaramani Group installs largest rooftop solar installation in the country’s apparel sector
The Hirdaramani Group in Sri Lanka has reportedly installed the largest rooftop solar installation in the apparel sector in the country.
Hirdaramani also has a flagship green facility in Sri Lanka – Mihila, which is Asia’s first CarbonNeutral apparel factory.
According to reports, the rooftop solar installations are part of the Suryadhanavi – meaning ‘generated from the sun’ – project by Windforce (Pvt) Ltd.
Through its investment in Windforce, this on-going venture in renewable energy is part of the Hirdaramani Sustainability Strategy that focuses on the core pillars of Planet, People, Product and Community, and has seen the manufacturer undergo massive changes to build greener more sustainable facilities across the island, a local media report stated.
The current installation at Hirdaramani reportedly features 21,000 solar panels generating 7.7 MW, leveraging cutting-edge mono PERC modules.
Used for the first time in Sri Lanka by Windforce, PERC modules optimize the efficiency of solar panels by significantly improving light capture; a technology that is rapidly making standard solar cells obsolete.
“At Hirdaramani we have consistently pioneered sustainability projects in the apparel industry and in the country. The Suryadhanavi project is an exciting new step in this journey and we are committed to building on the success of these first implementations,” Nikhil Hirdaramani, Director, Hirdaramani Group has been quoted as saying in the local media.
“With growing pressure on the environment, we understand the importance for leaders of industry to set the right example and invest in greener more sustainable manufacturing and processes thus creating an impetus for change,” he has added.
It is envisaged that through Suryadhanavi, 13.4GWh will be added annually to the national energy mix, accounting for more than 30% of electricity consumption by the Group. This would support an annual reduction of 10,200 Tons of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.
OSL take:
The setting up of a solar power installation in one of the country’s largest apparel industrial complexes would set a precedent for other industries to follow suit and turn towards renewable energy generation options to minimize costs while also help in the conservation of the environment. With the country turning more towards renewable energy options like solar power generation, there are increasing opportunities to engage in the country’s power and energy sector. Foreign countries could look at engaging in providing renewable energy options to the public as well as private sectors in Sri Lanka.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/27082018/Z_2 |