Damansara Utama school reaps benefit of solar energy project

Sek Men Keb Damansara Utama now generates its own clean energy. – Pic supplied, May 4, 2015.

Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Damansara Utama (SMKDU) in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, is now a proud "green power producer" after its solar photovoltaic rooftop project received the approval of the Sustainable Energy Development Authority.

With the approval, the school would now have a guaranteed annual income for the next 21 years under the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) mechanism.

The solar power project at the school was implemented by Cypark Resources Bhd under its corporate responsibility Adopt-a-School programme.

"Sale of electricity to Tenaga Nasional Berhad at a rate of RM1.2089 per kwh would see the school generating an annual income of approximately RM6,000 a year," the company's independent non-executive director, Datuk Dr Freezailah Che Yeom, said at the symbolic project handover ceremony to SMKDU in conjunction with the school’s Silver Jubilee celebration dinner recently.

The 5kW/h solar rooftop project at SMKDU commenced in March 2014 and was completed in May 2014. The system has been generating clean green energy from the sun for the school’s use for nearly a year.

The symbolic handover to the school’s principal, Zulaikha A. Rahman, was witnessed by guest of honour,  Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Ali Hamsa and head of the the school's PIBG, Datuk Zainal Abidin Sakom.

“SMKDU is the second school to receive our solar rooftop system; the first being Sek Keb Kuala Gula, in Kuala Kurau, Perak. We are very pleased that the FiT application for both SMKDU and SKKG was approved.

A close up of the solar panels on the roof of the school. – Pic supplied, May 4, 2015."The FiT Commencement Date (FiTCD) for SMKDU was in December 2014. With the availability of solar power, it will reduce the school’s dependence on commercially available energy sources, which we hope would enable the school to reduce its carbon footprint.

"It also provides the opportunity for students to be educated and exposed to the benefits of green technology, raising awareness and empowering them.

"Cypark, as an integrated renewable energy developer and green engineering solutions provider, aims to continue our efforts in educating the future generation on the importance of sustainable energy as part of the climate change mitigation initiatives," said Freezailah.

- TMI