Surya Jyoti – Photo-Voltaic (PV) Integrated Micro Solar Dome (MSD)

On Feb 18, 2017

Surya Jyoti
Photo-Voltaic (PV) Integrated Micro Solar Dome (MSD)

Surya Jyoti is a unique device that captures day light and concentrates the same inside a dark room, particularly in urban slum or rural areas which lack electricity supply. The device is developed by Dr. S.P Gon Chaudhuri from NB Institute for Rural Technology, Kolkata under the aegis of the Department of Science & Technology (DST).

	Solar Micro Dome “Surya Jyoti”	The Micro Solar Dome is leak proof and has a transparent semi-spherical upper dome made of acrylic material which captures the sunlight. The light passes through a sun-tube having a thin layer of highly reflective coating on the inner wall of the passage. It also contains a lower dome made of acrylic. There is a shutter in the bottom of the lower dome which can be closed if light is not required in the daytime.
	It can works for 16 hours continuously giving an illumination equivalent of a 60W incandescent lamp with a life of 20 years for dome structure.

Dr. S.P Gon Chaudhuri demonstrating the Surya Jyoti
Surya Jyoti has been tested from recognised Labs like Electronics Regional Test Laboratory (ERTL), The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI), Indian Institute of Technology- Bombay, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Kolkata etc.
Surya Jyoti in Operation in Delhi			About 1000 Micro Solar domes are now working in the slums of Delhi, Kolkata, Agartala, Guwahati, Bhopal and Bengaluru. However, demand of the product is increasing manifold as more and more people are becoming aware of the unique benefits of using the product. There are about 130 number of Surya Jyoti at Lalbag cluster of Delhi and nearby areas.
Surya Jyoti was launched by Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan on 5^th April, 2016. Describing the salient features of the device, the Minister said that the potential users of this device are10 million households. He further said that according to preliminary estimates, if this technology is adopted in 10 million households only, it has the potential of saving 1750 million units of energy.			Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan addressing a Press Conference after launching Surya Jyoti, on 5 April, 2016.Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri. Y. S. Chowdary (Right) and Secretary, Science and Technology, Prof. Ashutosh Sharma (Left)
It would also lead to an emission reduction of about 12.5 million ton of CO₂equivalent. The Minister added that this project will also supplement the Green Energy initiatives.
Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan inspecting Surya Jyoti at a home at Lalbagh slum cluster in New Delhi on 10 November, 2016			Dr. Harsh Vardhan during his visit to Lalbagh clusters in Azadpur area of Delhi on 10^th November 2016, where the latest PV Integrated Surya Jyoti have been installed, was pleased to notice how these lamps have improved the quality of life of the inhabitants especially of the women and children.

The latest Surya Jyoti operates in three modes, day light without any electricity, evening time with solar PV and has the ability to operate during night time with conventional grid after 17 hours of operation. Addressing the media, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that this device will also increase the productivity of women who stay at home and are involved in small income generation activities.

The Minister said that the PV integrated Micro Solar Dome costs on up-scaling would be about Rs. 1200 and Non-PV integrated Micro Solar Dome about Rs. 500 which would further reduce to about Rs. 900 and Rs. 400 respectively. The manufacturing process, being labour-intensive, would also generate huge job opportunities in the economy.

In order to cater to this ever increasing demand, an entrepreneurship development programme for manufacturing and installation of Surya Jyoti was organised during 18-22 October, 2016 in which 25 entrepreneurs and 7 voluntary organisations from 11 States of different regions were trained. The manufacturing process of the device is labour intensive and is expected to generate huge job opportunities. It is expected that once the design of the dome is made available along with assured demand, many entrepreneurs would venture in to manufacture MSD. It is expected that at least four manufacturers will start production 20000 units by March, 2017.

Surya Jyoti is now eligible for 30% subsidy under off grid solar lighting scheme of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). There are opportunities to integrate Surya Jyoti in rural and urban housing schemes, MP Local Area Development Schemes and corporate social responsibility activities of public sector enterprises. The Department of Science & Technology along with Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will take it up for larger distribution in bigger areas. It is proposed to be replicated in the cities of Bombay, Pune, Nagpur, Bangalore East, Kota, Bhopal, Indore, Kanpur, Ghaziabad, Ranchi, Patna, Madras, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Surat, Kolkata, Ludhiana, Faridabad, Guwahati etc. The Department is also training and giving licenses to young entrepreneurs to have their own start-ups. Self-help groups have also been trained to make these lamps and have been given licenses.

An interaction with concerned Members of Parliaments is planned to be organised during forthcoming Parliament Session. Partnership of utilities, development of appropriate business models and aggregation of capacities for wide scale proliferation are also being pursued.

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Surya Jyoti - Photo-Voltaic (PV) Integrated Micro Solar Dome (MSD)