LEDs that generate pure white light with better energy efficiency could one day substitute the light bulb for interior lighting at homes and offices, writes Sharath Ahuja
With the effects of global warming already being felt worldwide, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has jumped on the bandwagon to save the environment and to earn a few carbon credits while they are at it.
The civic body now plans to replace the bulbs on street lamps to light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. These new bulbs not only help conserve power but are also eco-friendly.
In a letter to the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), BMC explained the benefits of the LED bulbs as compared to the sodium vapour ones being used now.
In a first of its kind initiative for energy conservation undertaken by the city, the Jan Marg will be lit up by Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). An order of around 218 LEDs has been placed with a Pune based firm. A grant of nearly Rs 65 lakh has been given by the Central Government. The LEDs are superior in quality and will enable conservation of energy. While LEDs consume around 37 watts of power, the fittings at present require nearly 260 watts.
A number you likely know: 400 million. That’s how many people live without electricity in India. And not coincidentally, most of these people are poorest of the poor and live in rural villages or hamlets. The presence of such an enormous population eager for something better has given rise to new commercial products and services such as solar lanterns, solar home systems, and, the subject of this blog, micro-grids.
Less than a kilometer from Asia's largest Solar Termal plant, west of Bikaner, Rajasthan, lives the farmer Sabhu Khan. His hamlet is still unreached by the grid. Instead of the grid connection, he decided to go for an off-grid solar system – He bought it himself, at full market price – for Rs. 9500 and a 12 volt car-battery – locally made and with a 1 year guarantee.
A campaign to encourage the use of LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs was launched at Valavil and Parakkal villages at Mahe by home minister E Valsaraj on Saturday.
Under the campaign, incandescent and fluorescent bulbs are being replaced with 22-watt LED bulbs by the Renewable Energy Agency of Puducherry (REAP).
According to a press release from the REAP project director, the government is sp
