St Joseph’s College, Colombo 10 goes green by switching to solar power

Wednesday, 12 June 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The 60kW solar electricity system was handed over to the College Rector Rev Father Travis Gabriel by President of the Wattala-Ja Ela branch of the school’s Old Boy Union (OBU) Rohita Tilakaratna. Also in the picture are Kushan Jayasuriya, Dhammika Perera, and Rev. Father Sham Dassanayaka.

SolarTherm, Sri Lanka’s most trusted brand in the solar industry, recently installed a roof-mounted solar electricity system with a capacity of 60kW at St Joseph’s College, Colombo 10. Installed in the school’s swimming pool complex, the unit will be the first phase of the College’s new journey towards environmental sustainability. The unit was handed over to the College Rector Rev. Father Travis Gabriel by the President of the Wattala-Ja Ela branch of the school’s Old Boy Union (OBU), Rohita Tilakaratna.

The installation of the 60kW capacity solar electricity system is a continuation of the good work already carried out by SolarTherm in altering the direction of electricity consumption and environmental sustainability in schools across Sri Lanka. Prior to the installation at St Joseph’s College, SolarTherm has also been involved in supplying solar electricity to the other schools including Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya, Ladies’ College, Colombo 07, Royal International School, Kurunegala and Mahinda College, Galle. In addition, SolarTherm has also supplied and installed 10kW capacity units to Wevita Maithree Maha Vidyalaya in Bandaragama, Alubomulla Maha Vidyalaya in Panadura and Uduwara Primary School in Uduwara, under the Soorya Bala Sangramaya initiative carried out by Sustainable Energy Authority of Sri Lanka.

“The installation of this solar electricity system will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 5-6 metric tonnes a month. As a company, we are happy to have been involved in St Joseph’s College goal towards fulfilling its environmental responsibilities and ensuring a sustainable future,” said Alpha Solar Energy Systems SolarTherm Projects Director Kushan Jayasuriya.

St Joseph’s College currently accrues an electricity bill of approximately Rs. 700,000. Through the installation of the 60kW capacity solar electricity system, the school will offset 25% of their monthly bill.

“Our selection of wanting to work with SolarTherm was a very transparent one. We have seen the work that has been carried out by this company and the reputation it has built for itself by being a pioneer in the industry and the expertise they have accumulated over the years. SolarTherm has some of the most advanced technology available in Sri Lanka and has also worked with other schools previously, which made the process easier for us as well. We hope the school’s goal towards attaining environmental sustainability and responsible electricity consumption will continue to be supported by other branches of the OBA,” said Rohita Tilakaratna.