India is the third largest electricity consumer in the world, but more than 300 million Indians still do not have electricity. In order to meet the demand for electricity from its growing population, India is turning towards environmentally friendly and cost-effective renewable energy sources. India wants to provide electricity 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to its population by 2022. In order to achieve this goal, India is focused on developing innovative solutions as well as undertaking energy efficiency initiatives.
India is an eternally sunny country. If solar power is harnessed properly, it can be a game changer in India’s future. Solar energy is a clean, renewable resource that emits zero emissions. It can be harnessed in a number of ways.
Recent engineering students from Kolkata developed a device based on solar energy that can provide power continuously, 24 hours per day, all year round. The device is a combination of solar and hydel energy generation techniques that can be scaled up to any size. The device can be used in any landscape, including hilly areas and multi-story buildings.
How to generate 24×7 electricity with the device
The device includes two water tanks that are at different heights and a solar pump. Solar modules produce power and run the pump during the day. The water is pumped up from the lower to the upper tank and then back down. The water is pumped through a turbine to produce electricity. The solar pump uses solar energy during the day and the stored energy in the backup solar power system at night to operate the pump. The continuous flow of the water generates power 24×7.
Theoretically, to produce 1 megawatt, you need two tanks measuring 200 x 600 meters, separated by 50 meters. A system of this type is estimated to cost around Rs. 9 crore. Although the number may seem high, the government has already begun exploring the potential of the technology and is planning a pilot project to test 100 kilowatts in the hills of Eastern India. In a four-story building in Kolkata, a smaller version of this device is operating successfully. It produces 100 watts 24×7.
The inventors also plan to collect rainwater from the hills to fill the lower tanks. The system will not require a river or any other source of water.
Why does India invest heavily in solar energy and green power?
India is a member of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, which was held in Paris. The convention emphasized the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. India plans to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by a third in 2030. A timeline so aggressive requires equally aggressive actions. India needs a disruptive technology to reduce the cost of energy production. We hope that the solar device will be the first innovative step in this direction by an Indian establishment.
You can start saving immediately by going solar.
Rooftop solar installations and commercial solar power plants are revolutionizing how Indians consume electricity. The Indian government is promoting Rooftop solar to help rural and urban homes become self-sufficient. Many people in India are saving a lot of money on their electricity bills. Online solar calculators help consumers to choose the right solar solution for their needs. Top solar panels and battery storage brands, like Luminous, offer up to 25 years of panel life as well as extended battery storage.