Theni-based Planters’ Energy Network (PEN) has overcome the problem in realising higher temperature in solar heating when the sky is overcast by adopting an improved process involving special solar collectors.
By adopting the new process, industrial units using solar energy for heating can generate heat up to 120 degree C, says C. Palaniappan, founder-member of PEN. The limitation in using solar applications for heating is the range of temperature (75 degree C to 80 degree C) achieved, which is not sufficient for major industrial applications.
The industry now adopts conventional thermal oil heating to achieve higher temperatures. By using special tube collectors, it is possible to reach higher temperatures even on a cloudy day, Dr. Palaniappan says while explaining the process at his Sun Best laboratory in Theni.
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It is also possible to realise higher temperatures using solar concentrators. Besides being costly, the concentrators can work only on sunny days and hence their application is limited.
On the other hand, special solar collectors work even when the sky is overcast, says Dr. Palaniappan.
According to him, the innovation will directly benefit the automobile, textile, leather, paper, pharmaceutical, tobacco and food processing industries.
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The application of this process, he hopes, will bring down the import of fossil fuel by at least five per cent.
Dr. Palaniappan points out that 57 per cent of total energy consumption in the country, which is equal to 240 million tonnes of oil equivalent, is for thermal applications.
Ninety per cent of thermal energy is used for industrial process heating and residential cooking and water heating. This is met through coal, biomass and petroleum fuels.
Adoption of solar thermal technology will have a corresponding reduction in dependence on imported fuel. It will improve energy security and bring down demand for electricity and also protect the environment.
Dr. Palaniappan says India, because of its geographical position, attracts 25 per cent more solar radiation than European nations and this should be put to advantage.
While conceding that there are still challenges in storage and maintenance, he says it will still make sense in terms of fossil fuel saved. With 290 to 300 days of solar radiation, India can tap solar energy for domestic and industrial applications in a big way, he adds.