By John Dike, Osogbo
Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, has commissioned a 200-kilowatt peak (200kWp) commercial and industrial solar power system installed by DVS Reliable Energy for the university’s Senate Building.
This is expected to provide uninterrupted, reliable and sustainable electricity to the institution while reducing its dependence on the national grid and diesel-powered generators.
Speaking during the commissioning of the system, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of DVS Reliable Energy, Mr. David Adewuyi, said the installation was designed to operate effectively with or without electricity from the national grid.
He said the system had undergone successful testing for seven days, during which the Senate Building operated without grid electricity.
He explained that the solar panels had an expected lifespan of up to 25 years, while the batteries came with a 10-year warranty and the inverters had a five-year warranty.
He added that DVS Reliable Energy would provide free maintenance services for the entire solar system for the first year.
According to him, the project was one of several reliable and sustainable energy solutions delivered by the company, which has been operating for almost a decade.
He said, “As you can see, even for the past seven days of testing, they have been using it without electricity at all. This system works perfectly with or without electricity. So we can say it is an off-grid installation.
“So aside from relief from generator, this can also stand alone without depending on grid supply at all.”
The DVS Reliable Energy boss described the project as the first of its kind at Adeleke University and expressed optimism that it would mark the beginning of a broader transition to clean and reliable solar energy across the institution.
He commended the university management for taking what he described as a bold and strategic decision to embrace renewable energy, saying the investment would provide long-term benefits to the institution.
Also speaking at the event, Chief Mrs Modupe Sanni Adeleke, who represented the Chairman of the university, Dr. Deji Adeleke, commended DVS Reliable Energy for delivering the project.
She stressed the importance of reliable electricity to the smooth running and development of the university, noting that the rising cost of diesel had made alternative energy sources increasingly necessary.
She said, “We want to thank them for taking our money and giving us what we requested for. Light is very important for the lives of everybody.
“Because when the VC and my brother first told me, when I checked the thing, I said, ‘Ah, this thing is expensive o.’ But I said, I know we are going to recover the money because even Nigeria today, diesel goes up every day.
“So I told the both of them that if it’s going to work well, I think it’s worth doing, especially when they told me that there is a school that is off the electricity grid, that all they use is solar. I said, well, we can try it, and I’m sure it’s going to work for us.”
Chief Adeleke also commended the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Ajayi, the Pro-Chancellor and other principal officers of the university for their efforts towards building a conducive and sustainable academic environment.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Ajayi, described the solar project as a major relief for the university, particularly in reducing expenditure on diesel and addressing interruptions associated with conventional electricity supply.
Ajayi expressed appreciation to DVS Reliable Energy for delivering what he described as a noiseless, clean and reliable source of power.
He said, “There is more to come beyond this, by the grace of God. It’s a lot of relief for us. See how much we spend on diesel, how much we spend for PHCN itself, a lot, interruptions here and there, and even on the generator.
“With this now, noiseless, clean and reliable power. I thank you so much. Thank your company, DVS Reliable Energy. I thank your MD, Mr David Adewuyi. I thank you and God will help us, by the grace of God.”
Meanwhile, the Executive Director, Internal Audit, Adeleke University, Dr. Bright Nwamadi, expressed delight over the successful completion and testing of the project.
Nwamadi said the successful testing had given the university confidence that the solar installation would deliver value for the investment.
He said, “Since the testing went successfully, we hope we will continue in the same way and that it will give us value for our money.”
The commissioning of the 200kWp solar system marks a significant step in Adeleke University’s efforts to adopt renewable energy, reduce energy costs and ensure a more stable and sustainable electricity supply for its academic and administrative operations.
