Kolkata: A CSIR laboratory in West Bengal has designed a 'solar power tree' that takes up only four square feet of space and produces about three kilowatts (kW) of power - enough to power about five households.
"The challenge was to come up with a design so as to generate more solar power in less land space," Sibnath Maity, chief scientist at the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) in Durgapur, which developed the "tree", told IANS.
"For one MW of power, one needs five acres of land. To generate 10,000 MW we would need 50,000 acres. Now this poses a dilemma in states like West Bengal and Bihar," Mr Maity said.
The "solar tree" was inaugurated on Tuesday by union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan during his maiden visit to the CMERI, which is a constituent of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Mr Maity said one conventional solar photovoltaic system of five kW requires 400 square feet of area.
The three kW solar power tree resembles a tree with branches at different tiers and could be squeezed on rooftops and highways with a space requirement of around four square feet.
"The branches hold up the 30 photovoltaic panels and the system costs around Rs 3 lakh with battery back-up," Mr Maity said.
Two solar power trees would be installed at the office at Harsh Vardhan's bungalow according to the minister's request, said Mr Maity.
Harsh Vardhan also inaugurated the 'Control Container' developed by the CMERI for lake and sea trial of 'Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)'.
"I happily took part in live demonstration of the tractors developed by CSIR-CMERI by being literally in the driver's seat and actually driving one vehicle," the minister posted on his official Facebook page.
"I lauded the contribution of the institute in Green Revolution with its immensely successful technological achievements - the 'Swaraj Tractor' followed by the 'Sonalika' and the 'Krishi Shakti'. I also drove the 'e-Rickshaw' developed by the institute with great enthusiasm," Harsh Vardhan added.
"The challenge was to come up with a design so as to generate more solar power in less land space," Sibnath Maity, chief scientist at the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) in Durgapur, which developed the "tree", told IANS.
"For one MW of power, one needs five acres of land. To generate 10,000 MW we would need 50,000 acres. Now this poses a dilemma in states like West Bengal and Bihar," Mr Maity said.
Mr Maity said one conventional solar photovoltaic system of five kW requires 400 square feet of area.
Advertisement
"The branches hold up the 30 photovoltaic panels and the system costs around Rs 3 lakh with battery back-up," Mr Maity said.
Advertisement
Harsh Vardhan also inaugurated the 'Control Container' developed by the CMERI for lake and sea trial of 'Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)'.
Advertisement
"I lauded the contribution of the institute in Green Revolution with its immensely successful technological achievements - the 'Swaraj Tractor' followed by the 'Sonalika' and the 'Krishi Shakti'. I also drove the 'e-Rickshaw' developed by the institute with great enthusiasm," Harsh Vardhan added.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"My Clinic Awaits My Return": BJP Leader Harsh Vardhan Quits Politics Solar Storm 14,300 Years Ago Created Radiocarbon Spike, Scientists Find Harsh Vardhan, Seen Grinning When BJP MP Was Abusing In Parliament, Clarifies Amid Huge Row, Karnataka Pauses Bill For Reservation In Private Sector Firms Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Dies After Falling Off A Waterfall Near Mumbai UP Banker Dies By Suicide After 6 Months Of Bullying, Body-Shaming UGC Directs Institutions To Enhance Outreach Of Academic Bank Of Credit Major Crackdown Launched On Terror Network In J&K After Doda Encounter UK's New Government Vows To Remove 92 Unelected Peers From Upper House Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.