SDB bank deploys Solar PV arrays at Horana and Karapitiya branches

Saturday, 7 October 2023 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SDB bank CEO Priyantha Talwatte unveiling the ‘Natural Green Wall’ at the Horana branch

SDB bank officials and Hayleys Fenton officials at the event

SDB bank, in line with its unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, has taken significant strides towards promoting renewable energy integration into the national energy mix. The bank’s efforts include offering solar loans from 2021 and successfully funding its first commercial-scale solar power project in 2022, in partnership with Hayleys Fentons. Now, alongside its initiatives as a sustainable financier, SDB bank has also embarked on a broad programme to transform its building infrastructure into ‘Green Buildings’, to minimise its environmental footprint.

Thus, furthering its commitment to sustainability, SDB bank recently commissioned rooftop solar PV arrays at its branch buildings in Horana and Karapitiya. This significant milestone was marked with SDB bank CEO Priyantha Talwatte, officially unveiling these solar power generation systems that are connected to the national grid in a formal ceremony held at the Horana branch on 26 September.

Senior members of SDB bank’s executive management, representatives of Hayleys Solar, SDB bank’s service provider (EPC) in this initiative, were present at the official unveiling of the solar PV rooftop power generation systems along with other distinguished officials, guests, customers and dignitaries.

The installation of these two solar PV array rooftop power generation systems, with a combined capacity of 45kW, now means that the bulk of each branch’s energy requirements will be met through renewable solar power. This will provide a remarkable reduction of over 866 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) emissions over the next 20 years, which is roughly equivalent to the CO2 emissions produced by 193 petrol cars running for an entire year.

Furthermore, during their expected minimum 20-year lifespan, these two solar PV arrays are projected to generate over 1,311,386 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable energy, which is equivalent to the power requirements of 60 average households each month.

To commemorate this significant milestone, a natural ‘Green Wall of Awareness’ was also unveiled by Priyantha Talwatte at SDB bank, Horana, showcasing the green features of the branch, along with SDB bank’s overall commitment to its ESG goals and supporting and promoting sustainable development, towards a future green economy. SDB bank’s senior management team also paid courtesy calls to key existing and prospective customers in the region as a gesture of support and to discuss partnerships to further renewable energy integration in the region.