IIT Bhubaneswar with the help of the state government has specially designed and developed mobile solar pumps for the farmers of the state. As many as 13 solar pumps have been distributed among farmers of different districts.
The project is funded by the state directorate of agriculture and food production under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). It is an affordable movable solar photovoltaic (MSPV) system for pumping water in remote and non-accessible areas of Odisha. The project was started in 2017.
The villages which do not have electricity or an erratic supply can use these pumps for irrigation.
Two assistant professors, Srinivas Bhaskar Karanki from the school of electrical sciences and Satish D Dhandole from the school of mechanical sciences of the institute led this project. Karanki said the pumps can easily be carried from one farm to another, thereby ensuring an affordable system for the farmers.
He said the solar pump is designed to operate at low solar irradiance and can achieve maximum solar energy harvesting with single-stage power conversion from direct (DC) to alternating current (AC).
It increases reliability and reduces the overall cost, he added.
These solar pumps can even be operated from a single-phase grid supply also. “The institute is willing to transfer the technology for mass production by any manufacturer with possible subsidy,” said the national institute in a statement issued on Monday.
RV Raja Kumar, director of IIT Bhubaneswar, said the institute has been concentrating on developing technologies that have high social, national, and local relevance. “Apart from the latest research and development work, the institute is also working on the problems of the hinterland through innovative technology solutions,” he added.
The solar pumps have been installed in 13 locations in various districts, including Angul, Dhenkanal, Puri, Bhadrak, Korput, Keonjhar, Nayagarh, and Mayurbhanj. It includes three systems for Podapada, Kanaspada, and Khudupur villages in the Khurda district.
IIT Bhubaneswar has adopted these villages under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA). Besides the 13 solar pumps, one has been installed in the institute.
Source: TOI