Public Works Department (PWD) will start a special project in Sheikh Sarai of South Delhi. Solar trees will be planted in this area from which clean energy will be generated to run the street lights. This entire project will be completed at a cost of ₹62 lakhs.
According to a senior PWD official, this pilot project is being done in which four such solar trees are being developed in Sheikh Sarai Phase-2 Green Belt. If this project is successful, it will be replicated in other places.
It is being told that these solar trees will be four to five meters tall, with photovoltaic panels in the form of leaves, and each solar tree will have at least ten branches of panels. Per the PWD project report, each branch of the solar tree will comprise 100-watt solar photovoltaic modules with 12-volt output.
What Are Solar Trees
Solar tree means that instead of putting the photovoltaic panels on the roof or the ground as simple square panels, give them the form of a tree using metal. Solar panels are installed in the solar tree to generate electricity from sunlight; if someone is standing under it, it gives shade like a tree.
Let us tell you that solar trees can generate a good amount of electricity per square foot of land and, at the same time, can serve as a shelter for people, vehicles and animals.
Benefits Of Solar Trees
Both solar trees and solar panels use photovoltaic panels in their designs. Both make electricity from the energy received from the sun. However, the biggest difference between the two is the design. Talking about the Solar Tree is a half solar panel and half art installation.
It is well known that the normal installation of solar panels consumes a lot of space and ends up being used. But by installing a solar tree, you can use this space for other activities, primarily since it benefits the farmers. This does not reduce the space of their fields.
At the same time, the solar tree can be installed in public places, and if large installations are done, then the space under the solar tree can be used for parking or seating for people. In 2018, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) installed its first solar tree at Connaught Place near Metro Gate 7 as part of the Smart City project.
