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. Developed by the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), Durgapur, a laboratory of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, launched the Solar Power Tree in New Delhi.
Key facts of solar power tree
- The Solar Power Tree model is actually designed like a tree with branches made of steel to hold the photovoltaic panel. The technology developed under the leadership of S N Maity, Chief Scientist at CMERI. The Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute is a public engineering research and development institution in Durgapur, West Bengal, India.
- It takes only 4 square feet of land for a 5 KW Solar Power tree. On the other hand, a conventional layout requires 400 square feet of land.
- It holds the panels at a higher height ? thus gets more sun (by 1 hour) in a day in comparison to that of conventional layout on ground. This could also be rotated so that the photovoltaic panel get more sunlight. Thus, it is possible to harness 10-15 per cent more power” Harsh Vardhan said.
- The solar power tree has a capacity to generate 5 KW with a battery backup for 2 hours when under full load.
- 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.
