Description

New Systems and Product for Rural Areas Solar Power Well The concept of Solar Power Well (SoPoW) is similar to the village community water well. In this case, solar energy is harvested and stored and inhabitants can charge devices or energy storage systems (for example batteries) for a fee. We have done research and found out that to charge a 12 volt 50ah battery generally in rural areas villagers charge usually Rs.20. Now suppose we install a 400 watt solar system which gets on an average 6 hours sun irradiance per day. Sale price of such system is around Rs. 25000 (panel 45X400=18000+charge controller 2500 +wiring 1000+profit 3500). This system generates 400X6=2400 watts and can charge 2400/12=200 ah 12volt battery per day. Now if we install such system in a non-electrified village. The person buying such system can charge around, 3, 12volt, 50ah batteries per day. By which he can earn 3x20=60 rupees per day. In a month total earning is 60x30= 1800. If we look at payback period of the investment, it is 14 around months. After 14 months all the earning will be his profit. And this system is going to last for at least 25 years as solar panels are under warranty for 25 years. He will end up making huge profits. Even if charges only 2 batteries per day and have bought a 50 ah battery for self-use which would add a cost of around 3000 rupees. His payback period is 30000/20X2X30=16 months and remember he is using for himself too. But significant question arises about initial investment! Now suppose he buys the system on emi, @12% interest rate,24 months, his emi comes around Rs.1318. He can pay 1318 out of earned income and have the system after that. Above method can also be used for other purposes. Solar Powered Centralized Food Preservation Facility Farm products degrade in normal climatic conditions. Low temperatures and humidity allows to extend the usable life of these products. Storages with compartmented design can be built in rural areas and their environment regulated with solar energy technology. These storages can be built through village cooperatives and then rented to farmers for their use. Food preservation will greatly help to satisfy India’s growing demand. Solar Powered Water Wells In a typical village in rural India, the villagers have community water wells drawing water from underground. They also have water wells for irrigating fields. Most of these are operated manually and those that operate on electric power are limited by the availability of such power. The power availability in rural India for use by farmers is extremely limited. Solar powered water wells will undoubtedly increase crop yield and improve the quality of life of the inhabitants. Solar lighted Streets/Corners/Farm ways Solar lights are very commonly used in many places to provide safety and needed light to enable an individual to accomplish tasks/jobs when there is no sun light. However, they have not been adequately used in rural areas. Solar Powered (Mobile) Tools/Implements Tools are essential for farmers. From digging to harvesting the crops, several implements/tools are needed. Many of these are currently manually operated to save energy use. Solar powered farming will realize great leap forward in productivity and quality of life of farmers. Solar Powered Vehicles For fast transportation of materials, crops, animals, and humans, rural areas now depend on vehicles that run on gas/patrol or are pulled by animals. Slow but cheap and workable vehicles could be designed to run on solar power. Solar Powered Waste Management Farms and farm homes produce waste which largely pollutes land, water, and air thereby becoming a health hazard, in addition to being an eye sore. Solar powered compressors or waste conversion to useful products would benefit immensely the rural communities.