Solar Tree: A step towards Carbon Negative Power Generation and the Journey Ahead

The Journey of Solar Tree at CSIR-CMERI started in the year 2009, as an experiment to explore the potential of harnessing solar energy through pole-mounted PV panels. During that period a 1 kWp Solar Tree was developed which had PV modules mounted on a pole. The cost of this initial experimental set-up was around Rs 4.2 lakhs.

The First CSIR-CMERI developed Solar Tree

It was followed by another experiment to upgrade the existing simple set-up and increase the power generation capacity of the Solar Tree. Thus, 3 kWp Solar Tree was developed by CSIR-CMERI and it was inaugurated by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Hon’ble Union Science & Technology Minister, in the year 2016. This gave a tremendous fillip to the technology of Solar Tree. The appreciation received from Dr. Harsh Vardhan on the Solar Tree technology set and consolidated the R&D future course for the next four years.

Inauguration of the 3 kWp Solar Tree by Dr. Harsh Vardhan in the presence of Prof. (Dr.) Harish Hirani

The need was felt to restructure and redesign the initial model into advanced versions of the Solar Tree to expand the horizon of the technology applications it could cater to, multiply its power generation capacities, to eliminate the shadow-zone so as to introduce agricultural applications of the technology, incorporate specially designed arms to increase exposure to the sun as well as improve reception of optimum angle of incidence of the Sun Rays and to revamp the aesthetic/beautification aspects of the structure to provide continuity with the beautiful natural landscape. The primary motivation behind restructuring and rethinking the existing Solar Tree technology was the multiplication of the power generation capacity coupled with a substantial reduction in the costs. In the year 2017, a Solar Park was installed at CSIR-CMERI to demonstrate various kinds of solar trees. The Park had an installed capacity of 34 kWp and was inaugurated in 2017 by Dr. Girish Sahni, the then DG, CSIR.

The Solar Park being inaugurated in the year 2017 by Dr. Girish Sahni, DG, CSIR in the presence of Prof. (Dr.) Harish Hirani

The Solar Tree technologies developed in the last four years may be categorized as follows to develop a better understanding of its primary beneficiary domain and the motivation behind its development:

Solar Tree Capacity	Application	Actual View	Motivation behind development
1 kWp	Small capacity may be utilized primary schools, individual houses, small office premises.		Experimental Model
3 kWp	Govt. official premises, Commercial malls, and national highways.		Expand Power Generation Capacity and multiply applications
4 kWp	Parks, Corporate office premises, minister’s bungalows etc.		To symbolize the National Flower, incorporate SMART surveillance features and enhance aesthetics
5.5 kWp	Inside pond for irrigation application		Application on Small Water Bodies and portrayal of Tri-Color
6.5 kWp	Agricultural application, charging station		Lower the cost and Expand the Capacity
8 kWp	Agricultural application, Minigrid application		To expand its usage for agricultural pumps with 7.5 Hp capacity
11.5 kWp	Agricultural application, Minigrid application		Lowest Cost to Power Generation Ratio and the largest land-usage to power generation ratio
0.6 kWp – 1.3 kWp (pole-mounted)	Existing street light for localized electrification		Utilize the existing Street Light Poles for Solar Power Generation through the innovative placement of panels.

Since ‘Change is the only constant’, CSIR-CMERI is ready with a diverse portfolio of deploying of the Solar Trees ranges from small water bodies, national/state highways, agricultural areas, corporate offices to technology parks for the integration of a wide array of applications such as IoT based features, i.e. round-the-clock CCTV surveillance. The Solar Tree technologies since 2016 have been specially curated and designed to deliver maximum impact, especially in times of tremendous Global Climate Stress, Inflated Import Bills owing to Fossil Fuels, and an unprecedented Policy-Push towards the development of Clean and Green Technologies. The recently developed Solar Trees have the goal of achieving the key technology factor which provides the impetus towards a Clean and Green Ecosphere.

Universal Brotherhood Day: Techno-Economics to empower the Youth

Prof. Harish Hirani, 

Director CSIR-CMERI

“This is the gist of all Worship: To be pure and to do good to others.”

-Swami Vivekananda

The ultimate service to humanity is to channelize our efforts, knowledge, and skills towards the emancipation of the most vulnerable and economically marginalized sections of the society. Science & Technology focussed upon making the World a Sustainable and Bio-Diverse Ecosphere is the ultimate homage one can pay to the world we live in. ‘Unity is the highest point in Science’. The confluence of Science, Humanism, Economics, Social Sciences and Spiritualism can help elevate the mindscape of an individual to heights that would help achieve synergic existence with Nature. The Quest for Pure Knowledge in the most trying times for the World can lead us to unexplored avenues of unprecedented human collaboration. Mutual Collaboration instead of Individual Competitiveness is the ‘New Mantra of the New Normal’. This pandemic and all future pandemics can only be fought with the ideals of ‘human cooperation, resource sharing, reorientation of perspectives, and self-development’.

CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur is dedicated towards the ideal of ‘Maximum Science for Minimum Socio-Economic and Ecological Distress’. The initial COVID response had been to fortify Pandemic Resilience of Civic Infrastructure to ensure that even the frontline workers are adequately shielded from ‘impending danger’. The technologies developed by CSIR-CMERI during the pandemic were designed in a manner to multiply collaborative ventures and thereby inculcate the values of resource-sharing and collective achievement of goals. The Facemasks developed by the Institute were created to provide affordable and appropriate solutions for the people, through a manufacturing model which engaged over 200+ skilled locals and provided an economic benefit of over Rs 5,00,000/- to them, during a period of unforeseen economic inertness and vacuum. The COVID Protection System and HCARD Robots tried to harness Digital Leverage and Renewable Energy to the maximum extent especially for the protection of the Security Guards, Healthcare Workers, and Enforcement personnel. 

The Systems Architecture of the technologies was specimens of socio-economic Technology Innovations. These innovations were not only manufacturing-driven but rather focussed upon ease-of-manufacturing to boost the deployment of such manufacturing hubs to increase the productive potential of the people. The pre-independence hang-over of reliance on Jobs rather than developing Entrepreneurism has led to a significant backlash for our economy in recent years. The technology profile of the Institute has also been leaned towards promoting Agri-Entrepreneurialism, Affordable & Collaborative Manufacturing across the Nation. The massive Reverse Migration trends have showcased the ever-growing importance of Agriculture and thus the technology initiatives and the profile of the Institute is ready to help facilitate India becoming a Global Agro-Powerhouse. 

Following the footsteps of Swamiji, India is slated to lead the World through the ideals of Social Entrepreneurialism, Specially Crafted Techno-Economics, and a Democratically Curated Policy Framework. Steadily, India will be the Exemplar in leading the World towards a Climate Resilient, Ecologically Green, and Socially Robust ‘Unified World’. The World Parliament of Religions in September 1893 witnessed the iconic speech delivered by Swamiji. Commemorating this watershed moment for Global Spirituality, I was privileged to deliver the inaugural address as the Chief Guest on this occasion in a Webinar organized by the Vivekananda Kendra, Durgapur.