The 30th Annual Sessions of Sri Lanka Energy Managers Association (SLEMA), the foremost annual event of SLEMA, was held on 26th July 2019 at the “Orchid Room”, BMICH, Colombo 7. “A Solar Defined Future: Are We Ready?” was the theme of the sessions. Lighting of the
traditional oil lamp by distinguished guests followed by the welcome address delivered by Mr. Harsha Wickramasinghe inaugurated the event. Four experts representing the industry and the academia shared their knowledge and views on future of solar based electricity generation.
Prof. Rahula Attalage, a Senior Professor of University of Moratuwa and a past president of SLEMA provided an introduction on solar energy and discussed emerging trends in associated technologies. The status of the solar energy industry in Sri Lanka was well explained by Mr.
Champika Periyapperuma, Director (Technical) of Regen Solar (Pvt) Ltd and a former joint secretary of SLEMA. Mr. Periyapperuma observed that the solar industry in Sri Lanka experienced a boom with the launch of “Battle for Solar” program and emphasized the need for clear policy support to sustain this boom.
Technical issues attributable to connection of distributed solar PV systems to the national grid as well as solutions for such issues were discussed by Prof. Janaka Ekanayake, a Senior Professor of University of Peradeniya and a member of SLEMA. Energy storage, flexible loads, low voltage transformers with on load tap changers, smart inverters and microgrids were presented as solutions to the issues which have been identified by ongoing studies and researches. Mr. Chaminda Serasinghe, R&D Consultant at the Shigadry with Earth Company, Japan & Sri Lanka discussed latest technology applications and environmental benefits of solar energy.
Prof. Rahula Attalage Mr. Champika Periyapperuma Prof. Janaka Ekanayake Mr. Chaminda Serasinghe At the panel discussion moderated by Dr. Thusitha Sugathapala, a Senior Lecturer of University of Moratuwa, presenters provided clarifications to the questions raised by the
audience. The event was concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Mr. Swetha Perera, the joint secretary of SLEMA.