YHAI Mysuru’s Solar Energy Solution wins first prize

Mysore/Mysuru: Youth Hostels Association of India (YHAI) has won top prize of Hostelling International (HI) Sustainable Fund-2020 for its Solar Energy Initiative at YHAI in Gokulam, Mysuru. HI is the brand name of Youth Hostel Associations having presence in 85 countries.

Aimed at ‘Sustainable Tourism,’ the Hostelling International Sustainability Fund (HISF) was initiated in 2013 to encourage participation of HI hostels across the network in contributing to reducing carbon footprint and advancing sustainable developments and initiatives. 

HISF provides their guests with opportunity to offset their overnights and reduce carbon footprint of their stay.

Announcing this, Ravikumar, Chairman, YHAI Mysuru Unit, said: “This year 8 countries participated across the world and for the first time, YHAI participated in this campaign with its 40KW Solar Project of YHAI at Mysuru and won 1st prize of 4,253 pound (approximately Rs. 4.02 lakh). The 2nd and 3rd positions won by Spain and Brazil. YHAI is thankful to the voters for their support in making YHAI India win.”  YHAI, Mysuru, is the first among the four YHAI hostels in India to go fully solar for its internal energy needs.

With a motto to make a positive impact towards climate change by embracing eco-friendly energy solutions, Youth Hostel International, Mysuru, has set up a new 40KW rooftop solar plant at its Gokulam premises. 

With this, it has not only taken steps towards fulfilment of Planet Green obligations but also strives to achieve sustained cost reduction for the organisation. Commissioned recently, this rooftop solar plant would help YHAI Mysuru to become fully self-reliant on power by way of captive power consumption.

With a long term plan to embark on green energy initiative across all branches in India to set an example of sustainable living using solar energy, YHAI started this project in Mysuru just before the lockdown. This 40KW Solar Power Plant will help YHAI save approximately Rs.55,000-60,000 per month in terms of electricity charges alone based on usage. 

Venkat Narayanan, National Chairman of YHAI, says: “This project not only helps YHAI on significant cost reduction but also helps in reducing carbon footprint while opting for green energy alternatives.”

Ravikumar expressed confidence that this project will help them demonstrate YHAI’s commitment to make Mysuru as a clean and green city. “With lockdown getting relaxed, YHAI expects that more and more tourists from India and abroad will seek affordable accommodation in Mysuru. This low cost solar power option has helped YHAI to serve better as an NGO.

“With a mission to popularise solar energy solutions to domestic and commercial customers in Mysuru, we are proud to associate with YHAI in this green energy initiative,” says Saju Pothen of SmartEco Power Systems Pvt. Ltd., a Mysuru-based solar energy solutions company, who designed and commissioned this project.