Solar Electricity Energy: Utilization of Renewable Energy Sources to Realize a Sustainable Campus at UIN Raden Fatah Palembang

Abstract

Universities play an essential role in achieving Indonesia's 2060 carbon-neutral target. Emissions in the campus are mainly sourced from its electrical energy, transportation, and water use, along with other wastes. Electrical energy from solar is renewable energy, free from pollutants and noise pollution. This paper examines the sustainable energy performance of solar energy at the Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Fatah Palembang (UINRFP) and its development efforts. From August 2022 to March 2023, a solar power plant (SPP) operation with a capacity of 7.74 kWp has generated 6,281.5 kWh of electricity (28.55 kWh/day). Using a radiation factor of 0.8 and an equivalent sun hour of 4.61 (3-5 hours/day), the rooftop capacity of all buildings on Jakabaring Campus is 2,000 kWp, the potential of SPP electricity of UINRFP will exceed 39.3% compared to the 2022 electricity demand. If the capacity is, half the electricity generated from renewable energy meets 70% of the demand. Gradually UINRFP continues to develop its energy sources towards sustainable energy. The development of other research-scale renewable energy with hybrid solar energy and wind power for the aesthetic lighting function on the rectorate building has the potential to generate 290 kWh/year. In addition, micro-hydro energy sources from campus canals (water volume ±9,400 m3) and biomass are potential renewable energy sources at UINRFP for a sustainable campus in the future and contributing to reducing the impact of climate change.