IIT-Madras researchers develop solar parabola trough collector

The Center has targeted to provide 20,000 MW of solar power by 2022 under its National Solar Mission

Chennai, 21 May:

A new trough collector equipped with advanced energy has been developed by the students of Indian Institute of Madras to serve industries, its researchers said on Wednesday.

The 'parabolic trough collector' is a very lightweight and low-cost system with a high efficiency of energy and can be operated under different climatic conditions of the country.

In addition, it can provide the best way for sustainable energy solutions in the fields of agriculture and the sectors of the heat process in many industries.

The researchers said that the 'trough collector' concentrates the sunlight over a small area where it is absorbed and then used to heat it up and later produce energy.

He said that the system can help manufacturers in high-capacity solar power devices.

This concept follows the National Solar Mission of the Center which has set a target of providing 20,000 MW of solar power by the year 2022.

Commenting on the development, IIT-Madras professor K. Srinivas Reddy said that solar energy was one of the most effective techniques for bringing stability in the energy sector.

"Particularly concentrated solar power technology can meet thermal and electrical energy demands, due to its high reliability," said Reddy, who led the team to develop the collector.

He said that states like Bihar, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat have great potential to exploit this energy.