Using Solar Panels, UMN Proves Its Commitment to Climate Crisis

Universitas Multimedia Nusantara uses solar panels to prove its contribution to tackling the climate crisis. Photo by Tech in Asia

Using Solar Panels, UMN Proves its Commitment to Climate Crisis – Solar panels have become common in several office buildings and even residential houses. Even the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IERS) mentioned that the trend of installing solar power plants (PLTS) has increased over the past 10 years. This is not without reason. It turns out that using solar panels can reduce electricity costs by up to 70%.

In addition, using solar panels on the roof, commonly called a rooftop solar power plant, is environmentally friendly. Its use does not cause pollution. That is one of the reasons why Universitas Multimedia Nusantara, known as an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly campus, decided also to use solar panels on the roof of Building B.

In this article, let’s take a closer look at UMN’s solar panels, which have contributed to UMN’s ranking to 146th out of 1,183 universities worldwide in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2023.

#1. UMN installed more than 300 solar panels

At the end of 2023, UMN officially had a new source of electricity. A total of 372 solar panels were installed on the roof of Building B on campus. Thus, UMN can be said to have a rooftop Solar Power Plant that is expected to meet the electricity needs of its lecture buildings.

Also read: Check Campus Accreditation with This Easy Way!

#2. The price of installing solar panels is worth the sustainability gained.

Sunlight is a renewable, abundant, and environmentally friendly source of energy. However, converting it into electrical energy requires the installation of solar panels on the roof of a residential building or house. 

The capital required to have a rooftop solar panel is not cheap, but after installation, there is no need to pay again to enjoy electricity. UMN itself can save up to 15% on its total electricity usage. Solar panels can last approximately up to 25 years. Imagine how much money you can save?

#3. Solar panels can keep the electricity network in the building safe

Power outages are often unavoidable. So, with solar panels, campuses can use the electricity generated by solar panels.

Thus, even if the electricity supply from the State Electricity Company dies, teaching and learning activities on the UMN campus will not be disrupted and can run normally.

#4. Solar panels can reduce the use of electricity from fossil fuels.

The installation of solar panels on the roof of UMN Building B cannot be separated from UMN’s commitment to becoming an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly campus. Did you know that solar energy can save approximately 75 million barrels of oil every year? Solar panels have also been proven to reduce 35 million tons of CO2.

Ir. Andrey Andoko, MSc, Vice-Rector for General Administration and Finance at Universitas Multimedia Nusantara, said that using solar panels in UMN is UMN’s contribution to protecting the environment. 

“Besides saving electrical energy, this is certainly UMN’s contribution to environmental issues. By using friendly solar energy as renewable energy, we can further reduce the use of electrical energy that comes from fossil fuels. This is UMN’s contribution to protecting the environment. Moreover, the latest issue is related to global warming, which causes the air temperature to get hotter,” said Andrey.

#5. UMN also has a major that focuses on the utilization of natural energy resources

UMN’s Physics Engineering major is unique. In addition to learning about the application of physics in using and utilizing energy in daily life, UMN’s Physics Engineering study program is also a forum for students to develop the application of physics in using energy to face future industries.

In fact, one of the specializations in UMN’s Physics Engineering study program is the Energy Management specialization. In the energy management specialization, students will learn about systems in buildings or buildings that are energy efficient. In addition, students will understand how to test the effectiveness of energy use and maintenance of a building through an ICT-based monitoring system. Not only that, the Energy Management specialization will also build new and renewable energy by teaching students how to install solar panels independently. 

Also read: Student Facilities and Services at UMN.      

Those are 5 facts about UMN’s commitment to the climate crisis issue by installing solar panels on the roofs of its lecture buildings. Hopefully, the steps taken by UMN can inspire many parties and industries in the future.

If you are interested in being part of this movement, don’t hesitate to join UMN. There are many entry paths and scholarships that you can try, too, so what are you waiting for? Let’s register yourself now on UMN’s Official Website.

Source:

• Instagram @Universitasmultimedianusantara
• Official Website UMN
• Kumparan

English translation by Levina Chrestella Theodora

Kuliah di Jakarta untuk jurusan program studi Informatika| Sistem Informasi | Teknik Komputer | Teknik Elektro | Teknik Fisika | Akuntansi | Manajemen| Komunikasi Strategis | Jurnalistik | Desain Komunikasi Visual | Film dan Animasi | Arsitektur | D3 Perhotelan , di Universitas Multimedia Nusantara. www.umn.ac.id