By AIT Public Affairs
20 August 2024: The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) is taking a leading role in driving a sustainable future with the launch of its Solar Rooftop Project. Inaugurated on 20 August 2024, this initiative stands as a testament to the institute’s strong commitment to environmental stewardship.
Developed in collaboration with BCPG Public Company Limited, this project began as a visionary concept in November 2020 and has since made significant strides in promoting clean energy adoption within the academic sphere.
Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto, AIT President, emphasized that the project marks a significant milestone in AIT’s efforts to achieve Net Zero by 2030. He expressed gratitude to BCPG for their support and to the Office of Facilities and Assets Management (OFAM) and AIT officials for their determination and hard work in making this vision a reality. He urged everyone to continue advancing towards this sustainable goal.
Mr. Pongpat Phukanud, Vice President of the Business Development Department at BCPG Public Company Limited, provided an overview of the collaboration and highlighted the significance of the project. He stressed the strong bond between BCPG and AIT, noting that this project exemplifies innovation and collaboration.
The journey began when BCPG brought its renewable energy expertise to AIT, conducting a comprehensive energy audit by March 2021. The feasibility of a solar power system was carefully analyzed, leading to the signing of a Power Purchase Agreement in June 2023. This agreement marked a pivotal moment in AIT’s commitment to sustainability, and the project officially commenced in January 2024.
Over the next nine months, AIT identified 20 buildings as suitable sites for solar panel installation out of the initial 29 surveyed. By April 2024, scaffolding had been erected on 11 key buildings, and the installation of panels and inverters was well underway. Today, the majority of the solar infrastructure is in place, with a total capacity of 1.5 MW. This system is expected to generate approximately 1.95 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, significantly reducing carbon emissions by nearly 973 tons each year.
However, AIT’s vision for a sustainable campus extends beyond the rooftops. The next phase of this ambitious project involves the introduction of a 1.2 MW floating solar system, further enhancing AIT’s capacity to harness solar power. This expansion will solidify AIT’s position as a leader in campus sustainability, setting a new standard for academic institutions across the region.
Mr. Wanchai Sophonsakulrat, Director of OFAM, thanked AIT and BCPG, stating that the partnership marks the start of an innovative future. The initiative offers significant energy cost reductions, a substantial cut in the carbon footprint, and a lasting legacy of environmental stewardship.
AIT’s Solar Rooftop Project is part of the institute’s broader commitment to sustainability, aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Renowned for its lush green campus, AIT aims to achieve Net Zero status by 2030 and promote the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy, focusing on minimizing greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing natural ecosystems. This initiative also includes projects such as comprehensive energy efficiency and waste recycling programs, nature-based solutions, and other research initiatives dedicated to sustainability.
For over sixty years, AIT has established itself as a leading academic institution in sustainability in Asia. Through its academic initiatives, research, and community engagement, AIT has consistently contributed to the region’s sustainable development. The institute’s focus areas include Climate Change, Smart Communities, the Food-Energy-Water Nexus, Infrastructure, and Technology Policy & Society. By developing learning and research strategies that aim to decrease poverty, minimize risk, and foster the creation of green jobs, AIT is actively contributing to sustainable livelihoods in Asia.
AIT’s Solar Rooftop Project, along with its continuous sustainability initiatives, showcases the institute’s commitment to setting a sustainable example for Asia and beyond. The project is not only an infrastructure investment, but also an investment in the future.
