I have seen mobile batteries being charged by a charger or wireless charging like that of Nokia Lumia 920 but this is a totally a new concept where your Phone's battery gets charged up by just sending a "SMS". Buffalo Grid has developed a
solar-powered cellphone charging station that gets activated by an SMS.
The system can be beneficial for people living off-grid as recharging
their phone is now an SMS away.
Showing posts with label solar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label solar. Show all posts
India's Green Railway Station at New Delhi
The capital city of India will soon have its green railway station. It is the nice step to save the electricity and will help the city to use the same energy in other useful works. The New Delhi railway
station could be solar-powered, making it the first ‘green’ station in
the city. Under the pilot project, solar panel of 1 MW capacity will be
installed in the non-utilised portion of the rooftop at an expenditure
of Rs 15 million.
Currently New Delhi pays around Rs 15 million as its monthly power bill and draws 5 MW electricity. “The solar panels will help reduce the dependence on the conventional source of power".
The panels will be installed on private public partnership. A private company will install the panels and the railways will purchase the power from it on a fixed rate. Solar panels will be installed above the roof of foot over-bridges, terrace and other shelters of the station. “The private party will install and maintain the solar panels. The agreement would be for 5 to 10 years.
The railways will first have to invite bids to appoint a consultant to examine the modalities of the solar panels. The consultant will be appointed by December-end and, based on the study, installation of solar panels would start next year.
It would be nice to see how fast the city will be able to make the station green. The fear of getting the fuels exhausted is making us to move towards solar form of natural energy, i have seen several solar projects been taken by the government in the city for saving energy.
To reduce the existing load at the small station, some surplus fittings have been removed and energy efficient T-5 fittings, 60W fans, new exhaust fans (55 Watt) and CFLs have installed.
"We have used 28 solar panels (Each 12V, 70W) have been used in two groups of 14 panels each."
Lets hope that Solar railway stations be established everywhere in the country so that we can save a lot of electricity.
Currently New Delhi pays around Rs 15 million as its monthly power bill and draws 5 MW electricity. “The solar panels will help reduce the dependence on the conventional source of power".
The panels will be installed on private public partnership. A private company will install the panels and the railways will purchase the power from it on a fixed rate. Solar panels will be installed above the roof of foot over-bridges, terrace and other shelters of the station. “The private party will install and maintain the solar panels. The agreement would be for 5 to 10 years.
The railways will first have to invite bids to appoint a consultant to examine the modalities of the solar panels. The consultant will be appointed by December-end and, based on the study, installation of solar panels would start next year.
It would be nice to see how fast the city will be able to make the station green. The fear of getting the fuels exhausted is making us to move towards solar form of natural energy, i have seen several solar projects been taken by the government in the city for saving energy.To reduce the existing load at the small station, some surplus fittings have been removed and energy efficient T-5 fittings, 60W fans, new exhaust fans (55 Watt) and CFLs have installed.
"We have used 28 solar panels (Each 12V, 70W) have been used in two groups of 14 panels each."
Lets hope that Solar railway stations be established everywhere in the country so that we can save a lot of electricity.
Uttar Pradesh Solar Hot Bed
Solar energy is the best green energy that is eco friendly. The solar power would be very useful as the fuel prices are rising and fuel are on the verge of extinct in future.The solar companies are investing more and more to produce light in most of the villages which are still lightless. Bihar was the hub center for solar powers till now but now Uttar Pradesh (UP) has taken over and is the growing solar hotbed.
OMC and Mera Gao are two companies that have been pivotal in providing solar mini-grid models. These models have caught the eye of the UP government, which recently announced a 1 GW solar policy. According to OMC estimates, it takes 30 days to complete a new plant from start to finish, while, on the other hand, a new coal plant takes 5 to 7 years to complete, which costs billions.
The company is directly linked with job creation and 10 to 15 people are hired per solar station. They have built five separate 9-18 Kw solar stations out of which, only one is operational and plan to reach 350 plants in 2013. Similar to OMC's model, is Mera Gao's 'mini', mini-grids. Mera Gao has set up its watt scale mini-grids, in the range of 240 Watts, which are installed in a single day on individual rooftops. The most productive part about the model, is its high efficient LED light which significantly reduces the size of all other components of the system.
OMC and Mera Gao are two companies that have been pivotal in providing solar mini-grid models. These models have caught the eye of the UP government, which recently announced a 1 GW solar policy. According to OMC estimates, it takes 30 days to complete a new plant from start to finish, while, on the other hand, a new coal plant takes 5 to 7 years to complete, which costs billions.
The company is directly linked with job creation and 10 to 15 people are hired per solar station. They have built five separate 9-18 Kw solar stations out of which, only one is operational and plan to reach 350 plants in 2013. Similar to OMC's model, is Mera Gao's 'mini', mini-grids. Mera Gao has set up its watt scale mini-grids, in the range of 240 Watts, which are installed in a single day on individual rooftops. The most productive part about the model, is its high efficient LED light which significantly reduces the size of all other components of the system.
Solar Lanterns in Household
Since there has hardly been
much advancement in the technology used in solar lanterns, manufacturers
bank on innovative features based on the applications. Let’s take a
quick look at some of the new models in the market:
- Waterproof outdoor solar lanterns
- Rotatable solar lanterns
— CFL and LED
- Solar lanterns with AC charging facility
Kotak Urja has developed its Sparkler solar lantern with a dual charging system (solar and AC charging options). This LED lantern is light-weight and rugged, with long hours of backup. The lantern is built for safety with a steel grill covering the acrylic and rubberised base to absorb sudden shocks, in case of a fall or the lantern being dropped. Even the electronic circuitry and battery are protected.
BPL Techno Vision Pvt Ltd launched an innovative rechargeable LED based solar lantern lighting—BPL SL1300. This solar lantern is affordable and is equipped with a solar charger and uses BPL’s Q Tech technology, which allows charging even in fluctuating power and has an AC mains charging range from 90 V to 260 V. It also has a dual charging mode—AC charging using Q Tech technology as well as charging through a solar panel. While AC charging takes four hours for five hours of lighting, charging through the solar panel can provide 3.5 hours of light. This model is priced at Rs 1299.
Multi-purpose lanterns with added features: Going by the trends, manufacturers now offer multi-purpose lanterns catering to the specific needs of spread light, focused light, hanging lights or torch lights. Sometimes, all these requirements can be served by one single lantern. Gautam Polymer Group has launched the Solid Solar brand of lanterns, which are multi-purpose, have zero tension light and run for 12-14 hours with a single bright light, whereas with a double bright light they run for 6-7 hours at 3 Wp. With an efficiency of over 80 per cent and luminous performance of 80-100 lumen per watt, this multi-purpose lantern also has an additional mobile charger connection. “Every year, we upgrade our products—earlier we had a switch button on the lanterns; now, we use microcontroller based buttons,” says Shubhra Mohanka, director, Gautam Polymer Group. In April 2012, the company launched the Shivling CFL lantern.
Many of the solar lanterns feature mobile charging sockets (USB type), battery level indicators (as in mobiles) and FM radio options. Kotak Urja has recently filed a patent for one of its products, which apart from carrying all the features just mentioned, also has a projector and fake currency detector.
Solar hawker lights: These solar lanterns are designed for hawkers residing in rural as well as urban areas. They come with a 5 W CFL light, and offer illumination for longer hours than a kerosene lamp. These also come with the mobile charging facility and offer lighting for up to 8 to 10 hours after full charge. These solar lanterns cost between Rs 2500 to Rs 3500, and come with a battery and charge controller housed in a cabinet at the base of the lantern.
Solar lanterns with different light source: CFL and LED bulbs are replacing conventional incandescent bulbs in solar lanterns. Efficiency here is measured in terms of the power consumed—CFL and LED bulbs with lower power ratings produce more light. These bulbs have a longer life than ordinary bulbs. While a standard CFL has a life of about 6000 hours and can spread the light upwards as well, the more advanced LED lights run for almost 50,000 hours.
Rashmi Industries offers a solar lantern with a 7 W CFL, which provides a light output of 52 lumens per watt, equivalent to that of a 40 W (9 lumens per watt ) bulb. This solar lantern has a built-in detachable electronic circuit with an inverter and charge controller. A highly efficient two-step charge controller protects the battery from deep discharge and overcharging.
Another domestic manufacturer, Saur Oorja, offers solar lanterns with fluorescent tubes, LEDs and CFLs, with a battery power ranging from 1.3 Ah to 7 Ah. “These have an automatic lighting up device in case of power failure, and a built-in electrical charger with overcharge protection for safety and long life. These lanterns are available with both amorphous and monocrystalline panels,” informs DK Varshnei, director, Saur Oorja.
Choices in solar panels: Different types of solar PV panels can be used to power solar lanterns—crystalline and amorphous (thin film). Crystalline panels take up less area than the amorphous panel for the same amount of energy produced. However, crystalline panels do not perform satisfactorily under cloudy or not-so-bright conditions, when compared to amorphous panels. The choice of the panel depends on the location of the lantern as well. Typical ratings of the solar PV panel range between 8 Wp to 10 Wp.
Different types of batteries: The size or capacity of a solar lantern’s battery is determined by Ah—the greater the Ah of the battery, the longer the bulb can be used. These lanterns usually have a 6 V/4.5 Ah SMF lead acid battery. Nickel metal hydride, nickel cadmium and valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries are the three commercially available alternatives being used in lanterns.
BPL Techno Vision has launched a rechargeable LED lantern called Chirag. It uses a 3.3 V and 1600 mAh battery. Unlike the 8-12 hours of charging required by some batteries, this lantern requires only 4 hours of charging and runs for more than 5 hours.
The backup offered by some of its lanterns is as long as 14 hours. The Jumbo LED and Wonderlite CFL solar lanterns by Kotak Urja not only offer long battery backup but also ensure the lantern is safe. These lanterns are available in both bright mode and night mode (dim light).
How to choose a solar lantern:
Although a solar lantern is a simple device, buyers have a number of doubts while procuring a solar lantern, particularly due to its high price, compared to kerosene lamps. Also, with an array of products available in the market, a buyer might end up buying a low quality product or one that might not be worth the money spent. Thus, a few things should be kept in mind while procuring solar lanterns.
They are:
- Location of the user
- Number of hours of functioning
- Choosing the right battery
- The right light source
- Price
- Credibility and reliability
- Protection factors
- Waterproof outdoor solar lanterns
- Rotatable solar lanterns
— CFL and LED
- Solar lanterns with AC charging facility
Kotak Urja has developed its Sparkler solar lantern with a dual charging system (solar and AC charging options). This LED lantern is light-weight and rugged, with long hours of backup. The lantern is built for safety with a steel grill covering the acrylic and rubberised base to absorb sudden shocks, in case of a fall or the lantern being dropped. Even the electronic circuitry and battery are protected.
BPL Techno Vision Pvt Ltd launched an innovative rechargeable LED based solar lantern lighting—BPL SL1300. This solar lantern is affordable and is equipped with a solar charger and uses BPL’s Q Tech technology, which allows charging even in fluctuating power and has an AC mains charging range from 90 V to 260 V. It also has a dual charging mode—AC charging using Q Tech technology as well as charging through a solar panel. While AC charging takes four hours for five hours of lighting, charging through the solar panel can provide 3.5 hours of light. This model is priced at Rs 1299.
Multi-purpose lanterns with added features: Going by the trends, manufacturers now offer multi-purpose lanterns catering to the specific needs of spread light, focused light, hanging lights or torch lights. Sometimes, all these requirements can be served by one single lantern. Gautam Polymer Group has launched the Solid Solar brand of lanterns, which are multi-purpose, have zero tension light and run for 12-14 hours with a single bright light, whereas with a double bright light they run for 6-7 hours at 3 Wp. With an efficiency of over 80 per cent and luminous performance of 80-100 lumen per watt, this multi-purpose lantern also has an additional mobile charger connection. “Every year, we upgrade our products—earlier we had a switch button on the lanterns; now, we use microcontroller based buttons,” says Shubhra Mohanka, director, Gautam Polymer Group. In April 2012, the company launched the Shivling CFL lantern.
Many of the solar lanterns feature mobile charging sockets (USB type), battery level indicators (as in mobiles) and FM radio options. Kotak Urja has recently filed a patent for one of its products, which apart from carrying all the features just mentioned, also has a projector and fake currency detector.
Solar hawker lights: These solar lanterns are designed for hawkers residing in rural as well as urban areas. They come with a 5 W CFL light, and offer illumination for longer hours than a kerosene lamp. These also come with the mobile charging facility and offer lighting for up to 8 to 10 hours after full charge. These solar lanterns cost between Rs 2500 to Rs 3500, and come with a battery and charge controller housed in a cabinet at the base of the lantern.
Solar lanterns with different light source: CFL and LED bulbs are replacing conventional incandescent bulbs in solar lanterns. Efficiency here is measured in terms of the power consumed—CFL and LED bulbs with lower power ratings produce more light. These bulbs have a longer life than ordinary bulbs. While a standard CFL has a life of about 6000 hours and can spread the light upwards as well, the more advanced LED lights run for almost 50,000 hours.
Rashmi Industries offers a solar lantern with a 7 W CFL, which provides a light output of 52 lumens per watt, equivalent to that of a 40 W (9 lumens per watt ) bulb. This solar lantern has a built-in detachable electronic circuit with an inverter and charge controller. A highly efficient two-step charge controller protects the battery from deep discharge and overcharging.
Another domestic manufacturer, Saur Oorja, offers solar lanterns with fluorescent tubes, LEDs and CFLs, with a battery power ranging from 1.3 Ah to 7 Ah. “These have an automatic lighting up device in case of power failure, and a built-in electrical charger with overcharge protection for safety and long life. These lanterns are available with both amorphous and monocrystalline panels,” informs DK Varshnei, director, Saur Oorja.
Choices in solar panels: Different types of solar PV panels can be used to power solar lanterns—crystalline and amorphous (thin film). Crystalline panels take up less area than the amorphous panel for the same amount of energy produced. However, crystalline panels do not perform satisfactorily under cloudy or not-so-bright conditions, when compared to amorphous panels. The choice of the panel depends on the location of the lantern as well. Typical ratings of the solar PV panel range between 8 Wp to 10 Wp.
Different types of batteries: The size or capacity of a solar lantern’s battery is determined by Ah—the greater the Ah of the battery, the longer the bulb can be used. These lanterns usually have a 6 V/4.5 Ah SMF lead acid battery. Nickel metal hydride, nickel cadmium and valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries are the three commercially available alternatives being used in lanterns.
BPL Techno Vision has launched a rechargeable LED lantern called Chirag. It uses a 3.3 V and 1600 mAh battery. Unlike the 8-12 hours of charging required by some batteries, this lantern requires only 4 hours of charging and runs for more than 5 hours.
The backup offered by some of its lanterns is as long as 14 hours. The Jumbo LED and Wonderlite CFL solar lanterns by Kotak Urja not only offer long battery backup but also ensure the lantern is safe. These lanterns are available in both bright mode and night mode (dim light).
How to choose a solar lantern:
Although a solar lantern is a simple device, buyers have a number of doubts while procuring a solar lantern, particularly due to its high price, compared to kerosene lamps. Also, with an array of products available in the market, a buyer might end up buying a low quality product or one that might not be worth the money spent. Thus, a few things should be kept in mind while procuring solar lanterns.
They are:
- Location of the user
- Number of hours of functioning
- Choosing the right battery
- The right light source
- Price
- Credibility and reliability
- Protection factors
Cheapest Solar Cooler by Coca Cola for Village
Coca-Cola India is known for
its innovative strategies to aid the company's growth. They have often
found avenues, that has been left untapped by its competitors or any
other brand. This time, the company has decided to open its market in
80,000 Indian villages, that are not blessed with electricity. Out of
which, 25,000 have little chance of utilising power in the conventional
way.
The thought of Coca-Cola venturing into this area came, when Atul Singh, president and CEO, Coca Cola, visited rural markets in the summer of 2009, where shops served him warm Coke. When Singh returned, he charged two young Coke engineers, Chandan Samanta and Sunil Gulati, now aged 35 and 40, respectively, with the task of devising a low-cost solution, which came in the form of a solar cooler.
Three-and-a-half years later, 400 such boxes deployed across many villages are said to be delivering a five-fold increase in sales. The company is confident of making ends meet, as the new business generates more than the cost of the solar cooler. It further plans to distribute 1,000 boxes free to women entrepreneurs in Madhya Pradesh, UP, Himachal Pradesh and some parts of West Bengal by 2013 and the number will go up to 5,000 in the next 3 to 4 years. Moreover, at least 22 countries in the Coke universe have lifted 400 such boxes from Coca-Cola India and are adapting it to their markets.
"It helps when we can decode the consumer's voice, not just for launching new products, but also newer packages, price points' etc," says Singh. "Solar cooler is one such example of an innovation based on local insights and ground realities."
Adds Asim Parekh, vice president - Technical, India and South West Asia, Coca-Cola India, "These (cooler) boxes are bringing first time customers who never tasted our beverages before. The model is helping create a market in areas where Coke was not present at all."
The thought of Coca-Cola venturing into this area came, when Atul Singh, president and CEO, Coca Cola, visited rural markets in the summer of 2009, where shops served him warm Coke. When Singh returned, he charged two young Coke engineers, Chandan Samanta and Sunil Gulati, now aged 35 and 40, respectively, with the task of devising a low-cost solution, which came in the form of a solar cooler.
Three-and-a-half years later, 400 such boxes deployed across many villages are said to be delivering a five-fold increase in sales. The company is confident of making ends meet, as the new business generates more than the cost of the solar cooler. It further plans to distribute 1,000 boxes free to women entrepreneurs in Madhya Pradesh, UP, Himachal Pradesh and some parts of West Bengal by 2013 and the number will go up to 5,000 in the next 3 to 4 years. Moreover, at least 22 countries in the Coke universe have lifted 400 such boxes from Coca-Cola India and are adapting it to their markets.
"It helps when we can decode the consumer's voice, not just for launching new products, but also newer packages, price points' etc," says Singh. "Solar cooler is one such example of an innovation based on local insights and ground realities."
Adds Asim Parekh, vice president - Technical, India and South West Asia, Coca-Cola India, "These (cooler) boxes are bringing first time customers who never tasted our beverages before. The model is helping create a market in areas where Coke was not present at all."
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