After
successfully developing a rainwater harvesting system for his home, Osbert Vaz
has now created a tricycle which runs using solar energy by charging the
batteries with the help of a solar panel mounted on top of the cycle. “I was
walking in the sun when I realised that I could create a cycle that can reduce
my effort of walking and at the same time generate solar energy. This tricycle
has been designed earlier in other cities in India but I have added some more
features which are different from those models,” says Osbert from Shiroda.
Osbert completed his BE in Mechanical Engineering from Goa College of
Engineering, Farmagudi, Goa and has ten years of experience in the Energy and
Power Sector. He is also a certified energy auditor and energy manager
accredited by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Government of India.
“This tricycle
is designed keeping in mind two important aspects. Firstly, the tricycle can be
made to run for shorter distances without the use of petrol or diesel.
Secondly, the electricity generated by the solar panel can be used at night to
light essential requirements like bulbs and fans using the surplus power
available in the batteries. This tricycle consists of a solar panel which has
the capacity of producing 300 watts/hour (depending on the intensity of the
sun). This tricycle has the capacity of four batteries of 38 AH, which can
store around 1800 watts power,” explains Osbert. He started working on it about
five months back and the vehicle is now ready to hit the roads.
He further adds,
“I came up with an idea of tilting the solar panel at an optimum angle of 15
degree facing the sun, once it is parked. The advantage of this is that the
batteries continue to get charged at a faster rate by absorbing sunlight. These
batteries can be also charged with electricity in case the intensity of the
sunlight is less. This cycle has a speed of 25-30 km/hr and can cover 60 kms. I
am presently working on fine-tuning the cycle to increase its speed and milage.”
The tricycle was
fabricated at Hiru G Phadte’s Om Sai Workshop, Bethoda Industrial Estate where
trials were run to see the efficiency of the tricycle. This cycle also serves a
noble cause towards the environment as its primary source is solar and it’s
pollution free.
The tricycle
measures 1×2 metres and all Osbert needs now are the required road permissions
to get it on the road. “My aim is to reduce the consumption of non renewable
energy resources and use renewable ones like wind and sun energy. My previous
project involved rainwater harvesting which is done every year in the months of
July to October where the water from the tiles are transferred to a filtration
tank that can accommodate 8000 litres of water. I use this water instead of the
PWD water during the monsoons,” says Osbert.
