KOLKATA, INDIA: SunTechnics India, a brand of the Conergy Group, a leading international supplier in the field of solar system integration, has completed the design and installation of India’s first green housing project facilitated with building-integrated solar power. The 58 kilowatt project was developed in partnership with the West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency (WBREDA) as an initiative in solar architecture for the Rabi Rashmi Abasan eco-friendly housing complex at New Town Kolkata.

The project, valued at approximately 600K Euros, consists of 26 photovoltaic systems comprising 464 units of Conergy C125W solar modules, which were individually customized in various geometric shapes to fit the roof profiles of each building. By converting sunlight into electricity, each system maximizes energy efficiency by generating clean energy for lighting and other domestic uses. The power will be fed into the public grid and facilitate electricity needs for 25 residential buildings and a community center.

“Using building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) elements, buildings can maximize their energy efficiency by saving 0.5 kilograms of carbon emissions for every kilowatt hour of solar power produced,” Rajesh Bhat, CEO of SunTechnics India explained. “Green buildings are thus highly advantageous for consumers and real estate developers in large capital cities. In addition to reaping the benefits of energy cost reductions, green buildings are also interesting architectural applications as they are highly distinctive and innovative.”

SP Gon Chowdhury, former director of WBREDA and Managing Director of the West Bengal Green Energy Development Corporation said: “Conergy has demonstrated a deep commitment to the Indian community and a great willingness to combat climate change through renewable energy technologies. These are values we share. We are extremely pleased to explore the benefits of solar architecture with Conergy in the landmark Rabi Rashmi Abasan housing complex, which we hope will inspire other green initiatives and projects in India.”

SK Bhattacharyay, Director-in-Charge of WBREDA added: “This is the first BIPV project in India using the net metering system of Power Transfer to Grid, implemented under the newly-formulated policy guidelines of the West Bengal State Electricity Regulatory Commission. Its innovative architecture is based on the solar passive concept, in which buildings are oriented to receive the southern breeze, while cavities of the walls are built with polyurethane foam insulations to keep extreme temperatures at bay.”

In India, Conergy has electrified over 250 remote villages with solar home and street lighting systems and also developed the world’s highest photovoltaic and wind hybrid system in the Himalayas. Elsewhere in the region, Conergy has also constructed two 1-megawatt solar parks in South Korea and is currently planning Australia’s largest wind farm at 1,000 megawatts in New South Wales, together with strategic partner Macquarie Capital.