In an enterprise, which can bring hybrid renewable energy to the Indian rooftops, WindStream Technologies, a US-based renewable energy technologies manufacturer launched its trademarked product SolarMill, at its newly inaugurated facility in Maheshwaram mandal, of Ranga Reddy District, on Wednesday.
The prototype of the portable device consists of three vertical axis wind turbines fixed beneath one or more photovoltaic panels, to produce 2.5 kW of renewable energy.
Based on the climatic conditions, wind speeds and needs of area concerned, the turbines and panels may be integrated seamlessly, representatives from the company informed. It is designed to work in both on-grid and off-grid environments, hence, suitable for mini or micro grids in remote locations, Venkat Kumar Tangirala, president of the WindStream Technologies India said.
A 50,000-square-foot production facility in Maheshwaram will soon begin to roll out the devices in large numbers, after assembling them from the components mostly imported from the US. Thousand units are likely to come out next week, Dan Bates, president and CEO of the company said.
Besides claiming it as the first fully integrated hybrid renewable energy device, the company also cites lowest cost per installed watt at 35 square feet for one kilowatt, flexibility between battery and inverter and easy plug-in facility to attach two devices as its USPs.
To be made in India
While 80 per cent of the components are imported from the US as of now, efforts will be made to manufacture it fully from here in coming six months, Mr. Bates said. The appliance is designed for 25 years durability and comes with a five-year warranty. It is presently priced at about Rs.1.32 lakh per kW, Mr.Tangirala informed.
So far, 10 to 15 installations of SolarMill across India account for 10 to 20 kW power generation. However, commitments to the tune of one lakh installations are in the pipeline, among them a pilot from Indian Railways to power its unmanned level crossings.
The company seeks to expand production to North India, besides to other districts of Telangana. While the focus is not on exports right now, the devices may be shipped to Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Indonesia in the coming days, Mr.Bates informed.
Telangana Industries Minister Jupally Krishna Rao formally inaugurated the manufacturing facility and launched the product. He promised complete support for setting up production units in all the 10 districts of the State.
