Harnessing solar power
Worldwide, the conventional energy sources such as coal, hydro and thermal are fast depleting. For example in India, the statistics show that the present resources available in coal and natural resources will be sufficient only till the year 2040. The contribution of nuclear energy for electrical power production in India, as on today, is only 2%. However, it is anticipated that nuclear energy production will go up to 60% by 2040, renewable sources contribution will be around 10% of the total energy requirements by the year 2020.
With the modern advancement of electrical appliances at home and rapid growth in industrialisation in general, the per capita consumption of power has nearly doubled in the last 10 years. Therefore, all of us are living in a predicament, where we have to do something sufficient to conserve energy and save our children from energy crisis. The time has come for every individual and every organisation to look at various means of tapping renewable energy production, both centralised and decentralised. While efforts are 'on' on one side for increasing the potential energy production through various means, it is also important to explore in depth the means of conservation of energy in various buildings such as replacement of normal incandescent lamps and tube lights with that of compact flouroscent lamps.
The focus is aimed at providing a viable, suitable and an alternative use of solar energy for solar application. The classification of user can range from household, service industries such as hotels, hospitals, and industrial establishments using boilers and having canteens.
Solar energy
Solar energy is abundantly available in India, as we are in a tropical zone. Basically the energy from SUN can be used in 2 forms.
Solar thermal energy
Under this, equipments are used to convert sun energy into solar power. Commonly known applications are solar hot water heat systems, solar air heating systems, solar drying systems, solar desalination systems and solar cooking systems etc.
Solar photo voltaic
Under this, equipments are used to convert sun energy in to electrical energy by using solar photovoltaic modules. The application of this can range from powering one light to the whole village or city.
1. Domestic solar water heating system:
Basically for domestic use, for a family 4 to 5 members 100 LPD at 60 degree celsius solar water heating system is sufficient. The system consists of a solar collector of 2 square meter area, an insulated stainless steel tank of capacity 100 litres and stands and supports. The total system occupies an area of about 45 square feet. The system is installed on the roof top and it is connected with overhead tank on one side and pipelines are laid from the solar tank to usage points. The water in the solar tank is filled automatically from the overhead tank by gravity. During day time the water circulates through the solar panel and by evening the entire 100 litres of water in the tank is heated to a temperature of 60 degree celsius. Due to the insulation of the solar tank the water is preserved at the same temperature for 48 hours. Therefore. running hot water is available from the system for 24 hours a day.
The general life of the domestic solar water heating system is 15 years and the collectors are guaranteed for 10 years. The price of the solar system is Rs 18,000 for the 100 LPD system, There is no subsidy available from the Government of India. Many states including Tamil Nadu offer a subsidy of Rs 3.000 per system for a limited quantity. Various banks, such as Andhra Bank, Syndicate Bank are offering purchase of solar water heating system on installment basis at 5% interest rate for the 100 LPD system. The initial down payment by the user will be about Rs 3.000 and the installment monthly payment will be Rs 500 per month of a three-year loan period. It is very simple to avail this facility without much documentation.
The usage of solar water heating system in a house will save about Rs 550 worth of electricity every month. By using hot water in the kitchen, cooking gas to an extent of 50% can also be saved.
2.SoIarcooker:
It is a box type of solar cooker with 4 aluminium boxes inside. It is very convenient to prepare boiled rice, vegetable boiling and egg boiling using this solar cooker. The solar cooker will be kept in the sun and the mirror will be adjusted to face the sun. Normally it takes about 2-3 hours to prepare food for a 4-member family. It is convenient with out any moving components or fuel. It can also be used as a food warmer. The cost of the solar cooker is about Rs 1500 each.
3. Solar lantern:
It is a portable emergency light powered by sun energy. There is a solar panel of 10W, which has to be kept in the sun and through the cable plugged into the lantern. When the SUN is falling on the solar module, current is produced and it then charges the battery in the solar lantern. For a daily sun light charge, the light can be used for 4 hours everyday. The lantern consists of 7W component fluorescent light, giving a brightness of 350 lumens. When the light burns, it is possible to read and write in a room size of 100Sq.Ft.
The life of the solar panel is about 20-25 years and the battery is 3 years and the bulb is for 5 years. The price of the solar lantern is Rs 4000 each and there is a government subsidy of Rs 1300 per lantern. It is an easily affordable product for the home and absolutely maintenance free.
4. Solar home lighting system:
You can have 2-light fitting and a small table fan powered by solar energy. The 35W solar panel, can power this system, for every day sun light charge for 2 hours. The price of the system is about Rs 16000 and the Government offers a subsidy of Rs 5500. This product is very useful as emergency light for the house and each light consist of 11 W CFL lamp. This will offer brightness equivalent to 650 lumens. Again. there is no maintenance in this product.
5. Solar power battery charger:
In our home we use different types of batteries for toys, clocks, remote controllers, tape recorder etc. These batteries can be easily charged using solar module as power pack. However, the battery should be of rechargeable nature like nickel cadmium and not normal battery cells.
6. Solar power emergency systems:
You can have solar power system to provide emergency lighting or fan load in a house or shop or office or common area for apartments. They are much reliable and cheaper to have than conventional portable generators.
From the above products, it can be easily seen that every home in India can show their way in utilising solar energy and thereby enhancing the use of electricity for better purposes. Different supports are available from the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency and state nodal agencies, such as Tamilnadu Energy Development Agency for the use of solar energy products. As seen above, solar systems can be easily retrofitted in any roof top - either asbestos roof / RCC roofing. The installation of solar system should not be based purely on commercial sense but due consideration has to be taken into account in conserving the otherwise very scarcely available electrical power.
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