When the world is expecting the auto industry to take measures which are oriented towards safeguarding environment, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India has taken one step forward and has commissioned one of the largest solar-power rooftop systems in India at its plant in Chakan, Pune.
The German car manufacturer has installed a total of 25,770 photovoltaic panels at the plant with the help of its partner Amp Energy.
The company is reducing its dependence on non-renewable energy at its Pune site and installation will cover up to 15 per cent of the site’s annual electricity requirements, and the panels are expected to give a maximum output of 8.5MW.
The installation will generate a total of 12.2 million kWh of energy per year and is expected to reduce CO2 emissions resulting from car production at the site by more than 9,000 tonnes per year.
The company has a goal to be carbon-neutral by 2030. Company’s body shop complex has a photovoltaic system consisting of 25,770 highly efficient polycrystalline panels covering the 63,000 sq m of roof space. The set-up will also help in reducing direct heat radiation in the workshop, according to the manufacturer.
The company is trying to set an example for sustainability and a sense of responsibility in India and are pushing ahead with the target of achieving carbon-neutral production worldwide by 2030.
In order to be carbon neutral company is taking many more steps and is focusing on sustainable development, the conservation of resources and efficient cost optimisation.
The company is working on a project for eliminating the need for waste to be disposed of in landfills and there are a number of other projects are being implemented with the aim of making production even more sustainable.
By putting the solar-power system into operation at its plant in Pune, Volkswagen is reinforcing its commitment for use of clean energy and making an important contribution to the sustainable ecological future of the company.
According to Gurpratap Boparai, managing director of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, they have the plan to implement further environmentally friendly projects in the future, actively ensuring that India contributes to reducing CO2 emissions worldwide.
The step is a good example for other companies to not only think about profit but think about the environment also.
