Indian Express 19.12.2009

Now, a solar-powered ATM in city

In a novel attempt to go green, a private sector bank launched the city’s first solar energy-powered ATM at its Opera House branch on Friday. The machine is expected to work on solar energy for at least eight hours a day. Through this green initiative, the bank will be able to save around 1,980 kilowatt hours of energy every year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1,912 kg per year, a bank representative said.

The ATM has been fixed with large solar panels powered by eight photovoltaic cells mounted on the bank’s building. “The panels harness sunlight and turn it into electricity. Electricity is stored in batteries located within the building which will be used to power the ATM,” a bank official said. The ATM will enable the bank to save around Rs 20,000 per year.

Dr Rashneh Pardiwala, director and founder of Centre for Environmental Research and Education (CERE) that helped with the project, said “By creating this solar ATM prototype, we have ably exhibited that green solutions and sustainable development are feasible, economically-viable and environmentally beneficial.”

The CERE has published a Green Office Manual for the bank that provides step-by-step guidance on how to move towards a sustainable office environment and reduce carbon footprints.