⦁ CSIR-CMERI (Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute) has developed the World’s Largest Solar Tree, which is installed at CSIR-CMERI Residential Colony, Durgapur.
⦁ The installed capacity of the Solar Tree is above 11.5 kWp. It has the annual capacity to generate 12,000-14,000 units of Clean and Green Power”.
⦁ The Solar Tree has been designed in a manner to ensure maximum exposure of each Solar PV Panel to Sunlight and also creation of the least amount of shadow area beneath.
⦁ The inclination of the arms holding the Solar PV Panels are flexible and can be adjusted as per requirement, this feature is not available in Roof-Mounted Solar facilities.
⦁ The energy generation data can be monitored either real-time or on daily basis.
⦁ Being the World’s Largest Solar Tree also has certain customizable features for application at diverse sites.
⦁ Each Solar Tree has the potential to save 10-12 tons of CO2 emissions being released into the atmosphere as Greenhouse Gases when compared with fossil fuel fired energy generation.
⦁ Besides, the surplus generated power can be fed into an Energy Grid.
⦁ Interested MSMEs can align their Business Model with the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evem Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) Scheme for farmers, for developing a Renewable Energy based Energy Grid.
⦁ The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research abbreviated as CSIR was established by the Government of India in September 1942 as an autonomous body that has emerged as the largest research and development organisation in India .
⦁ Although it is mainly funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, it operates as an autonomous body through the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
⦁ The research and development activities of CSIR include aerospace engineering, structural engineering, ocean sciences, life sciences, metallurgy, chemicals, mining, food, petroleum, leather, and environmental science.
Organisation Structure
⦁ President : Prime Minister (Ex-Officio)
⦁ Vice President : Minister of Science & Technology, India (Ex-Officio)
⦁ Governing Body: The Director General is the head of the governing body. The other ex-officio member is the finance secretary (expenditures). Other members’ terms are three years.
⦁ CSIR Advisory Board: 15-member body composed of prominent members from respective fields of science and technology. Its function is to provide S&T inputs to the governing body. Member terms are three years.
PM-KUSUM
⦁ Ministry – Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
⦁ Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme was initiated by Government of India to increase the income of farmers and provide source for irrigation and de-dieselize the farm sector.
⦁ PM-Kusum Yojana got its administrative approval in 8th March 2019 and guidelines were framed in 22nd July 2019.
⦁ This scheme was launched for the installation of solar pumps and other renewable power plants across the nation.
⦁ This scheme is divided into three components which are discussed further.
Objective of PM Kusum Scheme
⦁ Under Kusum scheme Farmers, group of farmers, panchayat, co-operative societies can apply to plant a solar pump.
⦁ The total cost involved in this scheme is divided into three categories in which the Government will help farmers.
⦁ Government will provide a subsidy of 60% to farmers and 30% of the cost will be given by Government in form of loans.
⦁ Farmers will only have to give 10% of the total cost of the project.
⦁ The electricity generated from the solar panel can be sold by the farmers.
⦁ The money gained after selling electricity can further be used for starting a new business.