Photovoltaic system in Pune, India, brings major benefits.
Green power for Pune: solar energy now provides one-third of the power needed for production operations at Knorr-Bremse Commercial Vehicle Systems in Pune, India, saving costs while permanently cutting emissions.
The statistics are impressive – utility costs slashed by 45 percent, around 870,000 kilowatt-hours of clean energy, and savings of 600 tonnes of CO₂ – yet the solar power system covering virtually the entire roof area of the Production Truck facility, which has an output of 600 kW, did not cost Knorr-Bremse a penny. The management team and Managing Director Paramjit Singh Chadha decided on a “pay-as-you-go” model in which the plant purchases the power directly from the system operator.
Photovoltaic system generates savings of EUR 43,000
In return CleanMax Solar, one of India’s largest solar power system developers, paid for installation of the system and also takes care of maintenance. The panels are attached using a method that does not require holes to be drilled in the roof, eliminating any risk of later leaks. Chadha aims to cover almost one-third of the plant’s total power requirements with this solar power, and notes, “This will save us around EUR 43,000 in utility costs compared to normal energy prices.”
Conserving natural resources
Sustainability is playing an increasingly prominent role at Knorr-Bremse, not only in products and systems, but also during the development process and at every stage of the value chain. A cross-division working group for ecodesign was founded in 2017 with the purpose of helping Knorr- Bremse achieve its ambitious targets for energy efficiency, reduction of emissions, and conservation of resources. The system at the Pune plant is a good model for other Knorr-Bremse locations in areas of high sunshine. “As a globally operating corporation, we are always seeking new possibilities of taking responsibility. Solar power is an important stepping-stone towards reducing our carbon emissions,” says Chadha.
