IIT-Kanpur to set up 850kw solar power plant

In its endeavour to promote renewable energy, IIT-Kanpur is taking a slew of green steps including setting up of a 850kw solar power plant to light up the nearby villages in Kanpur district free of cost.

"We will announce several solar research initiatives on July 3 in the presence of prime minister Manmohan Singh who will be participating in the convocation day function," Sanjay Dhande, director of the institute told PTI.

Besides the Rs18 crore power plant, there is a move to develop low-cost highly powered solar cells based on organic polymeric material.

Like other solar cells, the performance of organic/polymer devices depends on absorbing as much light as possible, converting the photon energy into free electrons, removing the electrons, and minimizing resistance.

Presently silicon solar cells are being used which have achieved efficiencies of more than 24% but have high cost and complicated technology, the scientist said.

The institute also plans to initiate new and augment the existing programmes for long term research and development in solar power generation, storage, distribution, management and policy making in the institute which is celebrating its golden jublee this year.

Dhande was of the opinion that cutting the production cost in solar products would promote green technologies at a rapid pace helping combat climate change as sought in the National Solar Mission which is a part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).

Compared with an average of Rs3.50 per kWh for electricity from the national grid largely produced by coal-fired thermal power plants, solar power in the country currently costs about Rs15 per kWh (kilo Watt hour).

During the convocation function, the prime minister will also announce signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the government and the consortium of IITs including Kanpur IIT for preparation of a plan for cleaning Ganga river basin.