Posted on 07 June 2023
New solar energy installation at the depot will reduce emissions by 46%, contributing to STC’s green energy ambition.
On 18 May 2023, the SPS Mumbai depot in India became Stolt Tank Containers’ first facility to adopt full solar energy. The depot’s tropical location, which benefits from 9-10 months of sunshine per year, presented a perfect opportunity to go greener via this renewable resource. This switch is expected to make the depot electricity-neutral, while significantly reducing ongoing electricity costs.
Mono PERC solar panels covering the depot’s roof are capable of generating 170 kWp, which is converted into AC via two Growatt inverters. This is enough to fully power every piece of depot equipment at any given moment. Given that it’s rare for all equipment to be in use at the same time, the installation generates more power than the depot uses, and the excess is fed back into the local grid. A bidirectional meter measures both this and the amount drawn from the grid at times when solar generation isn’t sufficient.
Now that SPS Mumbai has largely switched from drawing from the grid to contributing to it, the surrounding community can benefit from a more reliable electricity supply. At the same time, Stolt Tank Containers has reduced its dependency on coal-fired electricity, reducing carbon emissions by around 10-15 tonnes per month, a 46% reduction of emissions at the location
The official coming-into-service of the new solar installation was marked with a ribbon cutting and traditional local blessing where coconuts are broken for good luck.
“We have committed ourselves: 50% of the energy used in our depots in 2030 will originate from carbon-neutral renewable sources. The use of solar energy for the production of electrical and thermal energy is a crucial technology to meet our sustainable goals,” says Dennis Verduyn, Global Depots Director at Stolt Tank Containers.
And this is just the start. In line with our sustainability goals, a similar installation at the Kandla depot is due for completion in 2024.
Largely self-sufficient
Mono PERC solar panels covering the depot’s roof are capable of generating 170 kWp, which is converted into AC via two Growatt inverters. This is enough to fully power every piece of depot equipment at any given moment. Given that it’s rare for all equipment to be in use at the same time, the installation generates more power than the depot uses, and the excess is fed back into the local grid. A bidirectional meter measures both this and the amount drawn from the grid at times when solar generation isn’t sufficient.
Advantages for the local community and the planet
Now that SPS Mumbai has largely switched from drawing from the grid to contributing to it, the surrounding community can benefit from a more reliable electricity supply. At the same time, Stolt Tank Containers has reduced its dependency on coal-fired electricity, reducing carbon emissions by around 10-15 tonnes per month, a 46% reduction of emissions at the location
The beginning of a new age
The official coming-into-service of the new solar installation was marked with a ribbon cutting and traditional local blessing where coconuts are broken for good luck.
“We have committed ourselves: 50% of the energy used in our depots in 2030 will originate from carbon-neutral renewable sources. The use of solar energy for the production of electrical and thermal energy is a crucial technology to meet our sustainable goals,” says Dennis Verduyn, Global Depots Director at Stolt Tank Containers.
And this is just the start. In line with our sustainability goals, a similar installation at the Kandla depot is due for completion in 2024.
