City mind taps rural tech to harness solar energy

He said the collector was made of a `fresnellens refractor’ with a configuration of 1.2 M X 1.2 M and was capable of running a pump with half to three-fourth horse power (H P).

A pioneer in developing the technique for producing a `master mould’ for fresnel lens in plastic said, “this technology can generate temperatures ranging from 400 degree to 500 degree Celsius which can be used for desalination and purification of water, hot water for cottage industries and to run community kitchens”, he said adding that if maintained properly by the user, it could last for four to five years.

The entrepreneur, who had earlier demonstrated the use off `resnel reflector’ successfully with the acceptance of users in early eighties, said application of this refractor technique would bring down cost of energy by 30 to 40 per cent of the conventional imported technology.

Sheth said the technology, which had undergone test for temperature and efficacy, could give energy supplying status to the energy-starved regions like Kutch, Rajasthan and Saurashtra.

There were three types of solar collectors which Sheth had developed over the years, namely fresnel relector, fresnel refractor (lens) and parabolic dish.