Government looks to hybrid solar solutions to cut power costs

14 April 2009

The department of science and technology of the Government of India has constituted a consortium comprising eminent researchers and students from leading IITs and private industry to undertake research on low-cost solar energy.

A team of around 50 researchers selected from different IITs in the country are working on developing hybrid, off-grid solutions for reducing cost of electricity generated using solar energy.

The project, initiated almost six months ago, aims at bringing down electricity costs significantly and help supply power without transmission lines.

The researchers have already had four-five ''brainstorming'' sessions, T Ramasami, secretary in the department of science and technology, said.

''Fifty students from IITs is a pretty good number, and they are bright guys'', he said.

The research is being validated by the private sector supporting industries and some research institutions and the hybrid solutions being developed are expected to be viable, he said, adding, the project is slated to be completed latest by May.