Context

Scientists at the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) in West Bengal have installed a ‘solar tree’ that is likely to be the largest of its kind in the world.

About

What is solar tree?

• A solar tree is a metal structure resembling a tree that has solar panels fitted on the branches.
• The solar panels connected through metal branches produces solar power.
• The working of a solar tree is much like that of a real one—leaf-like solar panels connected through metal branches using sunlight to make energy.
• The Solar tree panels charge batteries during the day. At dusk, the tree automatically switches on LED lights. It is programmed to regulate the amount of light it produces.
• Solar trees are flexible and rotate to face the sun and produce maximum possible amount of energy using a technique called “spiralling phyllataxy”. 
• Main body: Main body of solar tree is a simple hollow tube closed at one end to enable the attachment of the upper, smaller rod which should carry the upper panel.
  • This panel is placed high above the other panels at a vertical angle.
  • The angle provides a constant area for the sunlight regardless of the sun trajectory during the day.
  • The height at where it is placed enables a greater panel area which will not cover the lower placed panels.

Key-details of CMERI solar tree

• This is the largest solar tree as per our knowledge producing up to 11,500 watts (11.5kw).
  • The second largest tree has been set up in London and produces around 8.6kw.
• The CMERI solar tree has 35 panels each with a capacity of 330 watts.
• The solar tree has capabilities to adapt a bevy of Internet of Things (IoT)-based features, such as
  • round-the-clock CCTV surveillance in agricultural fields
  • real-time humidity, wind speed, rainfall prediction
  • soil analytics sensors

PM KUSUM For developing a renewable energy-based grid, interested micro, small, and medium enterprises can align their business models with the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) program for farmers. The KUSUM program is expected to help Indian farmers by providing them financial and water security through the mobilization of solar projects and solar-powered water pumps. The program has been divided into three components and aims to add a solar capacity of 25,750 MW by 2022. The solar tree can also be connected to CSIR-CMERI’s solar-powered e-suvidha kiosks for real-time access to the massive agricultural database, as well as to the eNAM (National Agricultural Marketplace) for instant and real-time access to a unified online market.

Significance of the initiative

• Cutting CO2: Producing around 12,000–14,000 units of clean and green power in a year, the solar tree has the potential to save 10–12 tons of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere every year.
• Energy reliant and carbon negative India: This solar tree is a quantum leap towards making an energy reliant and carbon negative India.
• Widespread usage: The CSIR-CMERI developed solar tree, besides being the world’s largest solar tree, also has certain customizable features for application at diverse sites. The solar trees were designed in a manner to ensure minimum shadow area, potentially making these solar trees available for widespread usage in agricultural activities such as high capacity pumps, e-tractors, and e-power tillers.