Govt to Launch Technology Centres on Solar Energy in Chennai

The DST-IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre will focus on a wide range of research and technology development activities such as silicon solar cells that promise high efficiency and are suited for Indian conditions.

The Department of Science and Technology is launching three technology centres in Chennai. The three centres will be located at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) and will promote solar energy and water treatment.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Science and Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forests and Climate Change is set to inaugurate the three centres.

The DST-IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre will focus on a wide range of research and technology development activities such as silicon solar cells that promise high efficiency and are suited for Indian conditions.

The network of researchers engaged in centre comprised of scientists from IIT Madras, IIT-Guwahati, Anna University, ICT-Mumbai, BHEL, and KGDS, which will be further expanded. The objective is to create a platform that can be extended readily to strengthen knowledge eco-system. The consortium will be duly poised to address the sustainability requirements in the spirit of ‘Make in India’.

The DST-IITM Water Innovation Centre has been established with an aim to undertake synchronised research and training programs on various issues related to wastewater management, water treatment, sensor development, stormwater management, and distribution and collection systems.

The Centre will provide a unique opportunity for the various groups in different premier organisations working in the area of wastewater management, water treatment, sensor development and stormwater management to collaborate and work in synergised manner to ensure adequate, safe, reliable and sustainable sources of drinking water for rural and urban India and process water for highly polluting and water-intensive industries, through research, technology development and capacity building.

The third centre is the Testbed on Solar thermal desalination solutions which is being established by IIT Madras and Empereal KGDS as solution providers in Naripaaiyur with the aim to deliver customised technology solutions to address prevalent water challenges in the arid coastal village located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal.