The Ministry of Science and Technology has come up with a ‘Solar Power Tree’, an innovative way to generate electricity using solar power in a limited space.
By Baishakhi Dutta
Developed by the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), Durgapur, a laboratory of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Solar Power Tree model is actually designed like a tree with branches made of steel to hold the photo-voltaic panel.
Because of the vast available space, policy makers at present consider Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra as ideal locations to harness solar power. The solar tree with multiple branches, each carrying a solar panel, could change the landscape.
Two trees are now set to be operational in Delhi. The first one of 5 kw power would be at the residence of Minister of Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, while a smaller one with a capacity of 3 kw would come live at the CSIR headquarters.
The technology developed under the leadership of S N Maity, Chief Scientist at CMERI.
The solar power tree has a capacity to generate 5 KW with a battery backup for 2 hours when under full load. It has a water sprinkler at the top for self-cleaning of panels.
In the coming months, CMERI team would focus on two other solar tree projects. The first one is to create a park in Damodar Valley Corporation premises by erecting solar trees around a garden, while CMERI intends to set them up in several primary schools by March 2017.
CMERI has licensed the solar tree to M/s Vibes Solar Solution India LLP, Kolkata and process is underway to license the technology to five more companies.
