Kochi, Jan. 9:  
The heritage building complex of the Malanakara Plantations Ltd, Kottayam has become the first office complex in the country to be a Net Zero Energy Building. All the energy requirements of the office complex, which includes 18 tonnes of air conditioning, computers, lighting, ventilation, office equipments, water pumps and three tea packing machines, are generated from a solar power plant of 25 KW capacity. With the installation of the solar power plant, the office complex is now disconnected from the Grid and is functioning wholly on its self-generated solar power. This makes the head office of Malankara Plantations Ltd, the first Net Zero Energy office complex in the country, a press release issued here said. The solar PV system is also capable of evacuating the excess electricity to the Grid, which also makes the building an Energy Plus building. The solar modules are mounted on a space frame without disturbing the original structure of the building and preserving its heritage status. The System Design, Engineering, Installation and commissioning of the power plant was executed by Team Sustain, using the most advanced and efficient components available today. The solar system installation at Malankara Plantations during its life will help save around 1,060 tonnes of Co2 equivalent Green House gases from being emitted into the atmosphere, the release added.— Our Bureau
(This article was published in the Business Line print edition dated January 10, 2012)