In its attempt to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and adopt clean energy, the Ramakrishna Mission Students Home in Mylapore has installed a solar thermal system for cooking purposes, as part of its initiatives marking the 150th anniversary celebrations of Swami Vivekananda.
Developed by Clique Solar, the system Arun 100, would help harness solar energy in cooking food for students at the home.
Swami Satyajnananandaji Maharaj, secretary of the Students’ Home, said that the solar steam generating technology would reduce the home’s dependency on LPG required for cooking.
“By capturing solar energy and using it to convert water into enough steam, a majority of our everyday cooking requirements is fulfilled, including the breakfast due to the thermal storage provided with the system. It is a pollution-free and environment-friendly system and is in harmony with the principles and activities of Ramakrishna Mission,” he said.
The solar thermal system, developed indigenously, will provide enough steam to cook an equivalent of 3500-4,000 meals for the students and residents of the Mission everyday.
The solar steam system is capable of moving and tracking the sun’s motion (Automated Dual Axis Tracking) and thus maximising the efficiency of the system.