The Integrated Solar Energy Project in the Sun Temple Town of Modhera, Gujarat, has achieved remarkable success. It stands as India's pioneering state-of-the-art Solar Project, distinguished by its extensive Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), one of the largest operational systems of its kind in the nation.

GPCL awarded the project to Mahindra Susten as the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor, and it was fully commissioned on August 26, 2021, completing it within a year. The inverters for the BESS system were supplied by the renowned Italian and global inverter and mobility major, Fimer. Fimer delivered its 1MVA inverters to Mahindra Susten for the BESS system in Modhera. This initiative has rendered both the Modhera Sun Temple and the town itself self-reliant and self-sustainable for their energy needs, primarily harnessing solar power.

The project comprises a 6 MW grid-connected system equipped with a 6MVA BESS system, featuring an 18MWh Battery Energy Storage System. Furthermore, the town benefits from a 100 kW rooftop system installed on government buildings, a 50 kW Solar parking infrastructure, 271 individual 1Kwp solar systems on residential buildings, and a 150 kWh battery storage system for solar charging.

FIMER supplied six PCS units, each with a rating of 1 MVA, for BESS applications. During daylight hours, the solar inverter supplies power to the load, with any surplus energy directed to charge the batteries. Furthermore, these PCS units can support the load demand during periods of solar energy deficit. FIMER PCS units also possess Black Start Mode/Grid Forming Mode functionality, enabling them to establish the grid during power failures. In such situations, FIMER PCS units form the grid in V/F mode, allowing other sources (inverters) to synchronize with the AC bus and commence supporting the load or charging the batteries. Once the grid is restored, the PCS units operate in grid-following mode, serving as a backup as needed. Notably, this marks the first instance of a bidirectional converter of 1 MW being supplied to the Indian market.

KN Sreevatsa, Country Managing Director at FIMER India, expressed, "At FIMER, we not only believe in offering customized solutions for maximum customer benefit but also in making a difference in their lives. We wholeheartedly support our Prime Minister's vision of promoting self-sustainability in small towns and cities, and we are proud to be part of this remarkable project."

Pramod Kalyanshetti, Chief Commercial Officer of Mahindra Susten, added, "The Modhera Project is one of the most prestigious and innovative integrated projects ever executed in the country. Susten is honoured to have been entrusted with the EPC responsibilities for this nationally significant project. The project's complexity, involving the integration of solar generation ranging from 1 KW to 6 MW and an 18MWh Battery system, was meticulously analyzed by Susten's design team, focusing on reliability and long-term service. Given FIMER's track record of delivering excellent service and the best design fit, the FIMER PCS with a capacity of 6MW was chosen for our prestigious Modhera project."

Recent plans reflect a broader trend toward making cities with religious significance more reliant on green energy. For example, according to the Uttar Pradesh government's plans, Ayodhya, Mathura, Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Gorakhpur are all set to transition to clean and sustainable energy sources by 2024.