The Marine Foundation Proves PLTS Is Not Just For Commercial

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The foundation engaged in marine research and education, namely the Indonesian Marine Education and Research Organization (Mero) Foundation, proves that the use of PLTS in private spaces is not only for commercial and promotion.

This was conveyed by the Founder of the Mero Foundation Rahmadi Prasetyo, in Karangasem, Bangli on Friday, May 23, with the use of roof PLTS not being used to promote his foundation but to support laboratory operations and reduce costs which are then diverted to research funds.

"This PLTS is very important for us not for promotion, whether profitable or not, what is clear is that we are committed to environmentally friendly and here electricity cannot die to support the existing laboratory," he said, during the Bali Energy Explore with IESR, quoted by Antara.

"Before installing the roof PLTS, the cost of electricity is also more expensive, this is saving one by three times from before, so the money can be for expensive research, buying seaweed (a material from one of these expensive researches)," said Rahmadi.

It is known that since 2017, the Mero Foundation in Kubu District, Karangasem, has decided to install 64 solar panels that produce 250 watts of power per unit.

Rahmadi said that initially the goal of installing roof PLTS was a commitment, so that his foundation, which was established for research and marine education, contributed to the environment.

Another goal at first was to support the course of social action and education there, where laboratories containing marine microbes must maintain their temperature using electricity.

After being traced, this beachfront laboratory is deemed appropriate to establish a PLTS, because every day they get abundant sunlight.

"We take advantage of the sun because the potential in Karangasem rarely rains, the heat is full, it's a potential that is utilized in addition to wanting to have an environmentally friendly concept as well as education in terms of energy," he said

Although it is on grid distributed to PLN, the Mero Foundation recorded at least 30 percent of the electricity needed for research covered by roof PLTS.

One of the researchers named Ayu Indah added that electrical energy is very important in the laboratory, one of which is maintaining the biota temperature being studied, which is at -18 degrees Celsius.

In addition to cooling, there are also microscopy tools that require high electrical power to see microbes or marine objects to be researched.

Although this foundation fully utilizes roof PLTS for social and education, IESR's Renewable Electricity and Energy System Analyst Alvin Sisdwinugraha explained, the solar power plant can provide economic benefits.

"Indonesia Solar Energy Outlook (ISEO) 2025 study by IESR shows that the return of roof PLTS investment for medium-scale commercial buildings was achieved within 11'12 years through saving electricity bills," he said.

Bali is one of the provinces with the highest adoption of roof PLTS until 2024, with a total installation of more than 5 MW spread over nearly 400 customers.

"This confirms that Bali is increasingly serious and active in supporting the Bali target of net zero emissions in 2045 through the development of renewable energy which is at the same time economically beneficial for the community and business actors," said Alvin.