Harsh Vardhan, Union Science and Technology Minister, has launched a low cost, leak proof and highly efficient solar lighting device which can be used in slums.
“The device, which can run up to 16 hours in one go, can be used in about 10 million households resulting in saving of 1,750 million units of energy. This would also reduce emission of 10 million tons of carbon dioxide,” he said.
“This was used in slums of Lal Bagh in the national capital as a pilot and can be used in slums,” Y S Chowdhary, Minister of State for Science and Technology, said.
“The micro solar dome captures sunlight through a transparent semi-spherical upper dome and concentrates it inside a dark room. The light then passes through a sun-tube having a thin layer of highly reflective coating on the inner wall of the passage,” Vardhan said while explaining the working of the solar lighting device. “It also contains a low dome having a shutter at the bottom that can be closed if light is not required in the daytime,” he added.
A scientist associated with the project said that the initial flaw in the project was rectified and now it is all set to be used widely.
The device will initially cost around Rs 1,200 which can be reduced if manufactured at large scale.
