Authors: Amit C. Kamble, Himmat T. Jadhav
Abstract: Energy security and tariff volatility are growing concerns for Indian higher-education institutions (HEIs) due to rising digital infrastructure, cooling loads, and escalating electricity prices. This paper presents a multi-year, bill-validated assessment of a 180.18 kWp grid-connected rooftop PV system in- stalled at Shivaji University, Kolhapur (SUK). Beyond reporting measured performance (average generation ≈283,824 kWh/yr; CUF ≈18%), the study introduces a Performance Stability Index (PSI) and a Tariff Resilience Index (TRI) to quantify interannual energy stability and financial robustness under adverse tariff scenarios. A 25-year discounted-cash-flow model, incorporating real tariff evolution, yields an IRR of 18.4%, NPV of about INR 517 lakh, and payback of ∼5.3 years. Annual CO2 avoidance is estimated at ∼233 tCO2/yr using the CEA grid factor. A benchmarking framework situates the system against Indian HEI PV case studies, and a replication pathway is outlined for campus-scale deployment. The results demonstrate that rooftop PV can significantly enhance HEI energy security while support- ing national solar and NEP-2020 sustainability goals.
DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20927527
